ESPLANADE DELI 3443 Esplanade Ave. (The Esplanade at City Park) 821-8939 Formerly known as the Esplanade Restaurant, this cozy spot located in the downstairs of the Esplanade at Park Esplanade Apartments now features more sandwiches and salads and serves pizza every day. There is always a daily special, such as meatballs and spaghetti. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

INDIGO 2284 Bayou Road 947-0123; www.indigonola.com Chef Jared Katz's award-winning cuisine has characteristics of modern French and regional cuisines. His emphasis on classic cooking techniques shows in his plates of seared foie gras served with caramelized shallots and drizzled with port reduction and sauterne gastrique. Dine al fresco on succulent rabbit saltimbocca or Creole osso buco in the historic setting of a former French plantation. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tuesday through Sunday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

LOLA'S 3312 Esplanade Ave. 488-6946 It's an intimate space and often busy, but Lola's paella is well worth the long wait. This national dish of Spain consists of seafood and vegetables cooked to order with saffron arborio rice. Diners often can ward off the vampires with the garlic shrimp appetizer. No reservations. Dinner daily. Checks. $$

PARKWAY BAKERY & TAVERN 538 Hagan Ave. 482-3047 They build old school style roast beef po-boys at Parkway, a venerable po-boy shop recently reopened after sitting vacant for almost a decade. The shrimp and oyster po-boys are also recommended. Catch live music every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

WHOLE FOODS MARKET 3135 Esplanade Ave. 943-1626 With Whole Foods' gourmet to-go items, hosts can throw an elegant dinner party without heating up the kitchen. In addition to a seasonal selection of prepared dinners, Whole Foods offers made-to-order sandwiches, a full bakery and a salad bar. Vegetarian and vegan options include spicy chile tofu and spinach lentil soup. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

BUCKTOWN

DEANIE'S SEAFOOD 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie 831-4141 Deanie's brings diners all the bounty of the sea. The barbecue shrimp are a spicy favorite that features jumbo head-on shrimp sauteed in a unique blend of seasonings. The giant seafood platter should satisfy just about anyone with its abundance of fresh shrimp, oysters, catfish, softshell crabs and crawfish balls. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

R&O PIZZA PLACE 216 Hammond Hwy., Metairie 831-1248 Pizza is the name of the game here, although R&O is by no means known by its popular pepperoni or meatball pies alone. This fun family restaurant also offers such favorites as stuffed artichokes, Italian salad, house special roast beef po-boy, and seafood dishes such as the barbecue shrimp. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $

SAIA'S ON THE LAKE 200 Hammond Hwy., Metairie 831-5700 Sal Saia still serves the prime steaks and chops locals depend on at his newest restaurant, but its Bucktown location demands that seafood be given a fair shake. Favorites include Cajun-stuffed eggplant boats and softshell crabs served in a crawfish cream sauce over angel hair pasta. No reservations. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SID-MAR'S OF BUCKTOWN 1824 Orpheum Ave., Metairie 831-9541; www.sidmarsofbucktown.com This Bucktown tradition is for seafood lovers looking for hearty helpings in a casual setting. The seafood bisque 'boat' features crawfish, shrimp and crab in a seasoned red roux served in a huge bowl, while the bountiful Fisherman's Platter comes overloaded with oysters, shrimp, catfish, stuffed crab and softshell crab accompanied with hushpuppies, French fries, a salad and toast. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

BYWATER BBQ 3162 Dauphine St. 944-4445 Locals enjoy specials like Sunday's prime rib and Tuesday's Mexican night as well as the traditional smoked chicken, pork and beef brisket with all the favorite barbecue sides. Weekend brunch features huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict and drink specials on mimosas and Bloody Marys. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, brunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday. Delivery available. Credit cards. $

CAFE PICASSO 3401 Chartres St. 948-6881 This unassuming neighborhood hangout boasts authentic Neapolitan-style pizza with the trademark thin, crispy crust that transplanted New Yorkers dream about. Other Italian fare like the chicken parmesan pasta is also popular, as are occasional Middle Eastern-style additions to the menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Checks. $

THE COUNTRY CLUB 634 Louisa St. 945-0742; www.countryclubneworleans.com A leisurely day of hanging out around The Country Club's heated pool or relaxing in one of the lounges is bound to make you hungry; snack on the homemade quiches or chili cheese quesadillas. Thursday brings dinner and a movie, with a full dinner menu inspired by the film. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

ELIZABETH'S RESTAURANT 601 Gallier St. 944-9272; www.elizabeths-restaurant.com Now that the Bywater stretch of Chartres Street is re-paved, the lines will get longer for this restaurant best known for its generous homestyle cooking. Chef-owner Heidi Trull dishes up eclectic soul food, such as barbecue omelettes and her signature praline bacon. Hubby Joe Trull offers sweets such as buttermilk lemon ice cream and peanut butter and jelly chess pie. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

JACK DEMPSEY'S 738 Poland Ave. 943-9914 A timeless jewel of the Bywater, this seafood restaurant boasts the J.D Platter for two, which features two stuffed crabs, two crawfish pies, two cups of gumbo, and loads of fried shrimp, oysters, catfish and redfish. No reservations. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

THE JOINT 801 Poland Ave. 949-3232 This funky Bywater outpost is fast gaining rave reviews for a good jukebox, great vibes, and exceptional barbecue. Order a cold beer with your pulled pork sandwich, rack of ribs, or quarter- or half-chicken, paired with such tasty sides as mac and cheese or baked beans. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thursday through Monday, lunch and early dinner Sunday. Call for delivery availability. Visa/MC. $

SUGAR PARK TAVERN 800 France St. 940-6226 Sugar Park's pizza chef learned his trade in New York City, but he's happy to add local toppings such as andouille, tasso and crawfish. Burgers and fish and chips are also popular with patrons. The tavern atmosphere is conducive for neighborhood locals. No reservations. Dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Delivery available. Credit cards. $$

CARROLLTON

BABYLON CAFE 7724 Maple St. 314-0010 This Uptown hangout is a casual student favorite for Middle Eastern staples including the gyro plate, falafel and chicken shawarma. Crusty sandwich bread is baked in-house. Feel free to bring your own wine to complement the flavors of eggplant, lamb, roasted garlic and other delicacies. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

BANGKOK THAI 513 S. Carrollton Ave. 861-3932 Not to be confused with Mid-City's Bangkok Cuisine, this equally popular hangout turns out Thai classics like spicy curries and pad Thai for hungry Tulane and Loyola students. Try the drunken noodles -- wide tender noodles made in-house and served with a stir-fry of sweet basil, baby corn, bell pepper, tomato, onion and a choice of meats. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $

BASIL LEAF 1438 S. Carrollton Ave. 862-9001 This Uptown favorite offers a contemporary, upscale take on traditional Thai cooking in a minimalist, beautifully lit atmosphere. Try a spicy shrimp curry -- grilled shrimp served in Thai green curry with vegetables and noodles -- or the half-duck, which is smoked in-house and then fried and topped with a five-spice Cabernet sauce and served over sauteed gingered vegetables. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CAFE VOLAGE 720 Dublin St. 861-4227 The warm, intimate atmosphere of this Uptown cottage is the perfect setting for a savory tete-a-tete between Italian, French and Louisiana flavors. The osso buco is a favorite, as is the braised lamb shank served with mushrooms in a white wine demi-glace. Reservations recommended on weekends. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CAMELLIA GRILL 626 S. Carrollton Ave. 866-9573 This Uptown lunch counter is a New Orleans institution known for its hearty soda-shop food served up by bow-tied waiters. Top off a famous burger with anything from sharp cheese to chili to grilled onions and chase it with a hefty plate of chili-cheese fries. Make sure to save room for a slice of chocolate pecan pie heated up on the grill. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Cash only. $

CARROLLTON STATION BAR & GRILL 8140 Willow St. 865-9190 Live local rock 'n' roll and ballgames on the bar's several TV's help Uptowners work up an appetite at this laid-back neighborhood joint. House specialties include half-pound burgers and Philly cheese steaks, and specialty salads like the sliced, grilled steak with Swiss cheese and mushrooms are also appealing. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CHINA ORCHID 704 S. Carrollton Ave. 865-1428 The menu at China Orchid gives diners a culinary tour through the provinces of China, with Mandarin, Hunan and Szechuan dishes all represented. The Emperor's Chow Mein is a regal feast with a bounty of beef, chicken, shrimp, pork and vegetables tossed with pan-fried noodles. The sesame chicken is a dependable classic, featuring fried chicken in a sweet sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DANTE'S KITCHEN 736 Dante St. 861-3121; www.danteskitchen.com The charming cottage that houses this Riverbend cafe is just the right setting for the Creole cuisine inside. The crabmeat and Brie French toast is a rich starter, while the Trois Mignon is a popular entree featuring three petite filets topped with pork debris, stilton cheese and marchands de vin sauce. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

FIGARO'S RESTAURANT 7900 Maple St. 866-0100 With its famed Neapolitan-style pizzas, Figaro's is a staple for college students and Uptown residents. Entrees include the mussels Figaro, where Atlantic blue mussels are topped with tomatoes, green onion, capers, garlic and herbed butter and served over angel hair pasta, as well as the sherried chicken linguine, with chicken breast, mushrooms and pasta in a sherry cream sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

FIVE HAPPINESS 3605 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-3935; www.fivehappiness.com Voted by Gambit Weekly readers as the best Chinese restaurant in the 2004 Best of New Orleans® poll, Five Happiness offers generous portions and authentic Chinese specialties. Consider traditional dishes like crispy ginger shrimp and pecan shrimp. If you are more of a carnivore the crispy orange beef is not to be missed. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

FRESCO CAFE AND PIZZERIA 7625 Maple St. 862-6363 Neighborhood pizza parlors like Fresco's never seem to fall out of food fashion, especially when they offer patrons lavash rolls along with a specialty sandwich menu. The Fresco Special is one such sandwich packed with grilled chicken, mozzarella, caramelized onions and roasted peppers. But its specialty is still crispy, cheesy pizza to be enjoyed al fresco on the deck. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

HANA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 8116 Hampson St. 865-1634 This neighborhood favorite is both a sushi bar and a full Japanese restaurant, providing light lunches, hot meals of noodles or cooked fish. Take a break from shopping to enjoy an assortment of specialty sushi rolls, including the Hana Special Roll with a combination of salmon, tuna, snow crab, cucumber, avocado, egg, and shrimp tempura. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

JACQUES-IMO'S CAFE 8324 Oak St. 861-0886; www.jacquesimoscafe.com Jack Leonardi's popular contemporary Louisiana restaurant has been known to force lines out onto Oak Street. Start off with the fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade, and move on to the sesame seed seared tuna and crabcake with citrus relish. Reservations accepted for parties of five or more. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

JAMILA'S CAFE 7808 Maple St. 866-4366 Jamila's offers a bit of Tunisia in a city better known for its local cuisine. It makes good use of its grill, offering grilled whole red snapper with paprika, cumin, garlic and chutney. The lamb is baked in terra cotta dishes and served with saffron basmati rice. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

LA COCINITA ESCONDIDA 4520 Freret St. 891-9557 'The little hidden kitchen' has attracted lots of attention since turning 1 year old. Its Nicaraguan fare has made many fans from its pupusas and carne asada. The house recommends the Nicaraguan-style tacos ($3.75) for a satisfying lunch. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, early lunch on Saturday. Credit cards. $

LEBANON'S CAFE 1500 S. Carrollton Ave. 862-6200 Cuisine from all over the Mediterranean with an emphasis on Greek and Lebanese is served up nightly at the appropriately named Lebanon's Cafe, which recently moved into the larger space next door from its previous location. All the standards make an appearance such as gyros, spinach and Greek salads and kabobs; the shawarma is a particular favorite. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MANGO HOUSE 8115 Jeannette St. 862-5848 A menu that offers guests a taste of the Caribbean is the goal of the Mango House owners and staff. Helping them bring island flavors to New Orleans are dishes such as coconut shrimp, conch ceviche, curried chicken and crabcakes. And what Caribbean experience would be complete without a rum drink special? Mango House has seven from which to choose. No reservations. Dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MARGAUX'S 8400 Oak St. 865-1559 Zachary's has sadly been retired at this location. The good news is that Creole cuisine remains. Located just a half a block away from the Maple Leaf Bar, the management at Margaux's invites you to dine on seafood gumbo, and Southern fried chicken and other chef favorites. Reservations recommended. Lunch buffet and dinner Monday through Saturday. Brunch Sunday. Reservations recommended. Major cards. $$

MAT & NADDIE'S 937 Leonidas St. 861-9600 Mat & Naddie's adventurous menu is abound with numerous modern Louisiana fine-dining dishes such as venison medallions encased in wild boar and green onion sausage. For a little variety, try the restaurant's nightly wine dinner, which features a choice of two entrees, appetizers or desserts each paired with the appropriate wine. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

MIKIMOTO 3301 S. Carrollton Ave. 488-1881 Japanese cuisine rules at this Carrollton Avenue standby. We're talking sushi, teriyakis, tempuras and noodle dishes. The special is the 99-cent nigiri sushi, available all the time. For the less adventurous, there is also a standard rib-eye steak. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

NICK'S ON CARROLLTON 1120 S. Carrollton Ave. 866-1414 The patio is the perfect place on the weekends to sip a Bloody Mary, enjoy a hearty breakfast and watch the streetcars roll by. For lunch try the burgers, soups, and the Carrollton, a fried chicken breast sandwich with grilled onions and Cheddar cheese. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Friday, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $

NINJA 8433 Oak St. 866-1119 The diverse menu at Ninja serves devoted Uptown customers a range of Japanese fare. Sushi rolls are the most popular items, but you can go for a variety with Box Sushi, which is a layering of fish of your choice, eel, snow crab rolls, rice and avocado. The Ninja's dinner for two introduces an array of Japanese favorites, tempura, beef and chicken teriyaki, gyzoa, edamame, hiviki and seaweed salad, and choice of two rolls. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tuesday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

RED STAR CHINESE 8330 Earhart Blvd. 861-1933 Favorites here include the hot and spicy General Tso's chicken, the crab Rangoon appetizer and the crispy shrimp. Combination plates are a great way to sample multiple dishes, and you can round out any entree with an egg roll or an order of shrimp fried rice. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

SALTWATER GRILL 1340 S. Carrollton Ave. 324-6640 This neighborhood seafood joint has endeared itself to Uptowners with dishes such as the grilled shrimp in avocado remoulade and Gulf fish meuniere. Oysters Rockefeller and on the half-shell are also popular, as are the house specialty fried seafood platters. Reservations accepted for parties of five or more. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SARA'S 724 Dublin St. 861-0565; www.sarasrestaurant.com This cozy Riverbend cottage is the perfect spot for an intimate dinner, with its innovative fusion of Indian, Mediterranean, Thai and French Creole flavors. Eclectic specialties include the green curried scallops with jasmine rice and black bean salsa, or the sesame-crusted pan-seared Atlantic salmon in wasabi beurre blanc. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$

SHELL SHUCKED 1506 S. Carrollton Ave. 861-1003 The pun-filled name refers to Shell Shucked's specialty of oysters. But there's a variety of dishes available, including a shrimp and artichoke salad and pan-fried softshell crab with garlic vegetables. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

ALLEGRO BISTRO 1100 Poydras St. 582-2350 A favored destination for both busy office workers and sports fans, with its traditional Saints pre-game buffet and special dinner service during Hornets home games. The spicy barbecue shrimp, available as an appetizer or entree, is a perennial favorite; for fall, try the hearty pepper jelly-glazed, pan-seared, crispy duck breast, served in a cranberry port demi-glace over basmati dirty rice. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $$

APPLE SEED SHOPPE 201 St. Charles Ave. 529-3442 This all-natural cafe prides itself on providing a variety of healthy foods for the CBD lunch crowd, and particularly salads, smoothies and fruit juices. It also offers sandwiches and a creamy cheese soup made with cheddar and celery that is always in demand. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Checks. $

ANTHONY'S SEAFOOD AND LOBSTER HOUSE 1 Poydras St., Suite 113 (Riverwalk Marketplace) 524-1243 Anthony's prides itself on its signature dish: the blackened lobster. Though the blackened lobster is the most popular choice on the menu, attractions -- beyond the pleasant view of the Mississippi River -- include the shrimp Drago (shrimp prepared stuffed, grilled or blackened) plus jambalaya and corn maque choux. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

THE BESH STEAKHOUSE AT HARRAH'S 512 S. Peters St. (Harrah's New Orleans Casino) 533-6111 Harrah's continues to offer its high rollers a fine spot to spend their winnings in John Besh's fine-dining restaurant, which serves up a contemporary twist on the classic steakhouse theme. Start off with the BLT salad, which combined chilled lobster, apple-smoked bacon and heirloom tomatoes, and move on to the popular American Kobe beef, served with lobster and shrimp-stuffed piquillo peppers and chevre whipped potatoes. Reservations recommended. Dinner nightly. Credit cards. $$

CAFE ADELAIDE & THE SWIZZLE STICK LOUNGE 300 Poydras St. (Loews Hotel) 595-3305; www.cafeadelaide.com The Commander's Palace family of restaurants lets loose with this whimsical bar and lounge, a loving paean to the Brennan's nightlife-loving Aunt Adelaide. Veteran chef Kevin Vizard offers up treats like the hot iron skillet-seared scallops with foie gras served in a coriander and black pepper crust, as well as innovative brunch dishes like the paneed eggs: breaded and fried poached eggs served over a shrimp and tomato Provencal with Serrano ham and fried grit cakes in a tomato demi-glace. Reservations recommended. Breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CAFE ARABESQUE 211 LaSalle St. 524-6455 Cafe Arabesque delivers an eclectic blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Latin food, with po-boys thrown in for good measure. Try the 'Mafia-letta' sandwich: Genoa salami, ham, pepperoni, mozzarella, Swiss and olive salad with mojo dressing, served on Roma bread and pressed in the traditional Cuban way. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

THE COMMONS 1010 Common St. 525-3508 Office workers can enjoy a quick bite at this Chinese-American restaurant. There are three Chinese and American specials offered each day ranging from chicken parmesan to Mandarin chicken. Another must for those on the go is the extensive salad bar. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $

DIXIE GYROS 110 Carondelet St. 523-6614 Dixie Gyros' menu teeters between down-home Southern with hot beignets in the morning, and exotic flavors of the Middle East such as the popular Greek omelette stuffed with peppers, tomatoes, onions and gyro meat. For lunch, there are falafel sandwiches and Greek salads. The beef, lamb or chicken gyros can be served on your choice of pita or crusty French bread. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DOC SMITH'S 1009 Poydras St. 561-0528 This comfortable, casual annex of Smith & Wollensky's steakhouse accommodates the after-work crowd and groups who gather to watch the big games on the large-screen TVs. To accompany the beer and cocktails, a munchie menu includes andouille and crawfish pizza, crabcakes and a blackened chicken po-boy. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

HOBNOBBER'S BAR & GRILL 139 Carondelet St. 525-5428 For more than two decades, Hobnobber's has built a following with plates of home-style New Orleans cooking. A team of eight drivers stands ready to deliver lunches of grilled chicken with grilled broccoli and tomatoes or crabcakes with creamy crawfish sauce. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, bar open daily. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

HORINOYA 920 Poydras St. 561-8914 In a serene downtown surrounding, the sushi chefs at Horinoya combine traditional Japanese cooking with inspired improvisations. One example is the soybean paper roll, a rice-less roll with three kinds of fish (tuna, white fish and salmon), mixed vegetables, avocado and a special sauce. Sit at the sushi bar and choose from a range of sashimi, maki and nigiri sushi. Check out the elegant back rooms for large parties. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner nightly. Credit cards. $$

HUEY'S 24/7 DINER 200 Magazine St. 598-4839; www.hueys247diner.com Those lucky enough to stumble upon this downtown 24-hour diner are rewarded with an upscale version of the usual diner fare. Burgers served on brioche buns and flaky crust chicken pot pies await those who are early risers or night owls. Sumptuous breakfast items and housemade desserts are always in demand and served any time. Reservations accepted for large parties. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

THE JAMBALAYA SHOPPE 701 Poydras St. (One Shell Square) 522-0138 The folks at the Jambalaya Shoppe know how to cater to working people with fast service and bargain-priced daily lunch specials. Jambalaya is king here, but the pork roast and hamburger steak are sure to please. Hearty bowls of chicken-andouille or seafood gumbo attract nearby office workers. No reservations. Lunch weekdays. Credit cards and checks. $

JIPANG 814 Gravier St. 565-5322 The owners of this recently opened Japanese restaurant (in an old office supply store) are definitely filling a need in the CBD. Jipang offers sushi as well as a full Japanese menu and affordable lunch combos, but opens in the morning to greet downtown workers with coffee and pastries. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards. Delivery to CBD and part of the French Quarter. $

KABBY'S ON THE RIVER 2 Poydras St. (Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel) 584-3880 The Hilton New Orleans' upscale restaurant offers guests a river-side view of the passing ships and the Crescent City Connection along with an eclectic menu that aims to please a wide variety of traveling clientele. Offerings include the grilled yellow fin tuna steak with roasted pepper couscous and the toasted pecan spinach salad. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

KABBY'S SPORTS EDITION & GRILLE 2 Poydras St. (Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel) 584-3880 Sports fans shouldn't miss the Hilton's sports bar located in the hotel's lobby. While the games play on the televisions, guests enjoy the menu's burgers, po-boys sandwiches and appetizers. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

LE PETIT PARIS 731 Common St. 524-7660 Previously an exclusively French restaurant, La Petit Paris' new owner, Dave Lancaster, is adding a few New Orleans items to the menu to give it a more down-home feel. In addition to plates like roast pork loin stuffed with garlic, there are favorites such as crawfish etoufee and crabcakes. There is also a daily seafood special. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Brunch on Sunday. Cash only. $

MIKE SERIO'S PO-BOYS & DELI 133 St. Charles Ave. 523-2668 If you've ever waited for the St. Charles streetcar at Common Street and St. Charles Avenue, then you have probably walked by Serio's, a local haunt with old-fashioned plate lunches and po-boys on its menu. A casual sports-themed establishment, Serio's features more than 150 football helmets for ambience. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

NACHO MAMA'S MEXICAN GRILL 721 Common St. 558-0830 Mama knows you could make a meal of the nachos loaded with cheese, meat, guacamole, sour cream and black olives. The shrimp- and bacon-stuffed quesadilla grilled over an open flame is another good option. Two-for-one margaritas are offered nightly. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. $

NEW CITY DINER 1340 Poydras St. 561-0061 Office workers escape from their cubicles to fuel up at New City with a lunch of beef brisket with gravy over rice or spicy Thai baked chicken with zucchini and cabbage. The diner also offers an assortment of sandwiches and made-to-order salads. No reservations. Delivery available for large orders. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

NEW ORLEANS GRILL 300 Gravier St. (Windsor Court Hotel) 523-6000; www.windsorcourthotel.com The New Orleans Grill treats its guests like royalty. Chef Jonathan Wright works sumptuous ingredients like duck foie gras and truffles into his seasonal menu. The salad of shaved hearts of palm and fennel with truffle dressing makes an excellent accompaniment to the roasted loin of elk with pumpkin and preserved lemon puree. With a wine cellar of 6,000 bottles, the perfect match can be found for any dish. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

THE PEARL RESTAURANT AND OYSTER BAR 119 St. Charles Ave. 525-2901 The Pearl's been around since the late 1920s, and nobody lasts that long in this town without doing something right. Start off with the gumbo, with shrimp, sausage, crab and okra. Also try the grilled shrimp salad, topped with honey-mustard dressing. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PETE'S PUB 444 St. Charles Ave. (Hotel Inter-Continental) 585-5401; www.new-orleans.intercontinental.com Pete's Pub may be located in a posh hotel, but it serves a rotating lunch menu of all-American favorites. Chicken tenders are the Tuesday special, while Thursday brings chicken fajitas. Burgers, pizza and pastas are also available. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $$

POYDRAS DINER 1555 Poydras St. (Exxon Building) 568-0733 The stuffed chicken with eggplant and the shrimp topped with Creole sauce are both popular lunch items among CBD office workers. Friday features a fish special. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $

RESTAURANT AUGUST 301 Tchoupitoulas St. 299-9777; www.rest-august.com While Chef John Besh likes to shake it up with weekly menu changes, according to which seasonal ingredients are at their best, standbys like the $20.04 three-course lunch are always a sure treat. Past specials have included a Moroccan spicy duck and crispy veal sweetbreads. Reservations required. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

SAZERAC BAR & GRILL 123 Baronne St. (Fairmont Hotel) 529-4733 This local stalwart offers much more than its signature Pernod-tinged cocktail to hungry guests. Grill favorites include the Pontchartrain jumbo shrimp and robust pasta dishes like the pecan pesto sauce, tossed with tomatoes, artichokes, shrimp, andouille, basil and garlic in penne pasta and finished with a hint of cream. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

SMITH & WOLLENSKY 1009 Poydras St. 561-0770; www.smithandwollensky.com Beef is the name of the game at this revered steakhouse, which recommends the Cajun rib-eye, dry-aged in house for 21 days before being marinated for 72 hours in a mix of Cajun spices and cooked to order. Non-beefeaters can choose the Louisiana crabcakes: lump blue-leg crabmeat slightly breaded and lightly fried and served with coleslaw. Reservations recommended. Lunch, dinner, late-night daily. Credit cards. $$$

SQUARE ONE RESTAURANT 701 Poydras St. 593-9884 Business types populate the tables at this One Shell Square eatery for the traditional breakfast menu that includes bacon, eggs, sausage and grits. At lunch there is a Chinese buffet or a regular menu of American foods such as a grilled chicken salad with vinaigrette dressing. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $$

THE STEAK KNIFE RESTAURANT & BAR 610 Poydras St. 212-5656; www.thesteakknife.com The popular Lakeview restaurant has expanded with a downtown location, with its full complement of steaks, seafood and other meats. Start with escargot stuffed in mushroom caps and served in garlic butter laced with white wine and brandy, then move on to entrees such as the teriyaki-marinated double-cut lamb chops in a demi-glace served with celery-garlic mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TANDOORI CHICKEN 115 University Place 299-1926 Affordable prices and bountiful dishes attract hungry workers in the CBD for lunch and others yearning for authentic North India cuisine for dinner. The all-you-can-eat buffet features a generous variety of the restaurant's favorites, including tender chicken baked in clay tandoori ovens, as well as a range of vegetable dishes. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TUCKER'S TAVERN 635 S. Roman St. 522-0440 A regular burger wasn't good enough for Tucker's Tavern, so the kitchen stuffed the hamburger patty, battered the bun, tossed it all into the deep-fryer and became the 'Home of the Stuffed Deep-Fried Burger. Diners particularly enjoy The Big Tuck, a deep-fried burger filled with pepper Jack cheese and bacon and then topped with barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, lunch and early dinner Saturday. Credit cards. $

ZOË 333 Poydras St. (W Hotel) 207-5018 The beautiful people dine at the W Hotel's Zoë, which has recently adopted what it calls a 'Nuevo Creole menu. Start with a seafood margarita of lobster, crab and shrimp with a lemon-lime aioli. For an entree, management recommends the redfish amandine sauteed in brown butter with lump crabmeat. Reservations recommended. Breakfast and dinner daily, lunch Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

CENTRAL CITY

CAFE RECONCILE 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. 568-1157; www.caferconcile.com This Central City spot may deserve accolades for helping at-risk youth get a head start by learning marketable hospitality industry skills, but the food also stands on its own. Regulars come for hearty Southern-style home cooking including the pan-roasted chicken with jalapeno corn bread, or the robust meatloaf with mashed potatoes. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

UGLESICH'S 1238 Baronne St. 523-8571; www.uglesichs.com At this legendary neighborhood spot, start off with the creamy oyster Brie soup, fried oysters with blue cheese dressing or the Purgatory Shrimp with gorgonzola dip. For an entree, sample more oysters with the barbecue oyster plate, sauteed with new potatoes in olive oil, butter, basil, garlic, Worcestershire and lemon. The Uglesiches reveal some of their culinary secrets in the recently published Uglesich's Restaurant Cookbook. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday and some Saturdays. Cash only. $$

CRABBY J'S 7420 W. Judge Perez Drive, Arabi 271-9907 J isn't too crabby to serve up some of the area's most popular gumbo. For an entree, try the Crabmeat Pasta Trio: crabmeat sauce over pasta with shrimp, oysters and catfish. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

ESPRESSO YOURSELF CUSTOM COFFEE 3604 DeLaRonde Drive, Chalmette 271-0380; www.espressoyourself.net Don't let the name fool you; this place is much more than a coffee shop. You can pick up pastries and specialty coffees from the drive-up window for breakfast. For lunch, nibble on salads, quiche, gourmet wraps and deli-style sandwiches. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, coffee and pastries only on Sunday. Credit cards. $

STIXX ASIAN CAJUN CAFE & SUSHI BAR 535 E. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette 276-2742 There's a full-service sushi and sashimi bar at this contemporary Asian-Cajun restaurant. For meat lovers, the Crispy Duck is roasted and flash-fried to make the outside slightly crispy, then it's topped with teriyaki sauce and served with either fried rice or stir-fry vegetables. The paneed chicken is served over angle hair pasta and topped with crawfish cream sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday. Credit cards. $$

CITYWIDE

ACME OYSTER HOUSE French Quarter, Lakefront, Northshore; www.acmeoyster.com This bustling New Orleans institution is popular with locals and tourists alike for its special ways with the humble bivalve. Start off with a dozen on the half-shell, with plenty of horseradish and lemon, and move on to a second dozen fried on a fresh loaf of French bread dressed with melted butter, pickles and all the trimmings. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

APPLEBEE'S Harahan, Metairie, Northshore, West Bank; www.applebees.com This national chain has become more convenient now that it has car-side service, allowing customers to phone in orders and have them brought to the car when they arrive. In addition to the already expansive offerings, Applebee's has added a Weight Watchers menu for the calorie-conscious. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

BAYOU BAGELRY CBD, Metairie, Uptown Even the snobbiest New Yorkers keep coming back for 18 varieties of the roll with the hole. In the morning, choose from a variety of gourmet cream cheeses, including smoked salmon and pesto. At lunchtime, try a special like the R&B -- roast beef, cheddar and bacon dressed with horseradish mayo, lettuce and tomato. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily at all locations. Credit cards. $

BUD'S BROILER Harahan, Jefferson, Kenner, Lakeview, Metairie, Mid-City, River Ridge, Uptown, West Bank Film buffs may want to visit the City Park Avenue location for its cameo as Halle Berry's workplace in the Oscar-winning flick Monster's Ball. However, the other locations all serve up the same fresh-grilled burgers and hot dogs topped with chili, cheese, hickory sauce, onions and much more, plus fries, onion rings, homemade desserts and rich, thick shakes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

BYBLOS Metairie, Old Metairie, Uptown Each location of Byblos -- the Gambit Weekly readers' poll winner for best Mediterranean restaurant in 2004 -- has its own signature. There are the exotic treats at the full Lebanese grocery at the 2020 Veterans Memorial Blvd. location, then there's the on-the-go falafel at the Lakeside Shopping Center food court. All of them offer the same reliable taste of the Middle East, though, with popular snacks like succulent roasted lamb kebabs served with rice, hummus and salad. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CAFE DU MONDE CBD, French Quarter, Kenner, Metairie, Warehouse District, West Bank; www.cafedumonde.com Cafe au lait and golden, puffy beignets are a quintessential New Orleans experience, served 24 hours a day under the famous green-and-white striped canopy of the Jackson Square flagship location. The other locations may lack the hubbub of live street performers and buggy drivers clip-clopping by, but the chicory coffee and mountains of powdered sugar are just as sweet. No reservations. Hours vary by location; Decatur Street location open 24 hours. Cash only. $

CAFE ROMA Chalmette, French Quarter, Metairie, Old Metairie, Uptown Cafe Roma's five locations offer hearty, casual Italian fare in the form of monstrous sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and inventive salads. Grilled shrimp and Portobello mushrooms seasoned with garlic and basil in a pesto sauce over penne pasta is a favorite; on the lighter side, try the grilled chicken salad, served in a raspberry-walnut vinaigrette. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. Delivery available. $$

CC'S COFFEE Bayou St. John, Carrollton, CBD, French Quarter, Kenner, Metairie, Northshore, Old Metairie, Uptown, Warehouse District; www.ccscoffee.com Every CC's location serves up classic New Orleans flavor in its time-tested original blend. They also offer a variety of teas and coffees from all over the world in signature espresso drinks like the decadent frozen Mochassippi, as well as pastries, muffins, bagels and other treats. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $

CHEVY'S FRESH MEX Kenner, Metairie, West Bank; www.chevysfreshmex.com This fun, casual chain never fails to start the fiesta with signature margaritas blended with fresh fruit, or appetizers like hand-rolled tamales or taquitos served with sour cream and sweet jalapeno jelly. The mesquite grill adds a smoky, south-of-the-border flavor to shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

COPELAND'S Jefferson, Northshore, Uptown, West Bank The eggplant pirogue is a house special with fried eggplant topped with shrimp, crab claws and au gratin sauce and served over angel hair pasta. The seafood platters are also popular choices, and the rich chocolate fudge cake ends the meal on a sweet note. Reservations recommended. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $$

CUCO'S Metairie, Northshore, West Bank With Cuco's outposts sprinkled throughout the greater New Orleans area, no one's ever too far from Mexican favorites like enchiladas, burritos and fajitas made with grilled chicken and spicy steak. The menus vary by location, but you can usually count on grilled fish, black bean soup, and margaritas to wash it all down. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DANNY AND CLYDE'S Jefferson, Metairie, Northshore, West Bank; www.dannyandclydes.com Customers stop in before work for a breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, meat and cheese. Later in the day, favorites include the hot or smoked sausage po-boy and the ever-popular French fry and gravy po-boy. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily; some locations open 24 hours. $

DOT'S DINER Jefferson, Metairie, Northshore, River Ridge Early in the morning, folks fortify themselves with thick breakfast steaks and hot breakfasts of eggs, grits, biscuits and bacon, while those looking for healthy breakfasts can dig into egg-white veggie omelettes. Lunch and dinner bring on burgers, sandwiches, steaks and salads. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at the 4150 Jefferson Hwy. location, open 24 hours at other locations. Credit cards. $

GROUND PAT'I BURGERS Kenner, Metairie, Northshore; www.groundpati.com Ground Pat'i is known for its burgers, made of choice ground chuck and grilled to order over an open-flame char broiler. Also consider a sizzling and juicy steak dinner, available in a variety of cuts of beef, served with a dinner salad, Texas toast and a choice of French fries, baked potato or steamed veggies. Grilled or fried seafood platters round out the diverse menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

HAAGEN-DAZS CBD, Carrollton, French Quarter; www.haagendazs.com Any time is a good time for premium ice cream, and Haagen-Dazs has just that along with a variety of sorbets and smoothies. Don't miss the sorbet sipper, a frozen beverage blended with sorbet, fruit juice and soda. No reservations. Credit cards. $

HOOTERS French Quarter, Metairie, West Banks; www.hooters.com Hooters is a good place to watch the Saints games while the Hooter girls serve up frothy pitchers of beer and platters of spicy chicken wings. Try the buffalo shrimp or other items from an expanded menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, salads and quesadillas. Reservations for large parties only. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

LA MADELEINE Carrollton, French Quarter, Jefferson, Metairie, Northshore Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, La Madeleine aims to bring to its customers a notion of French preparation in a suburban setting. The wide variety of menu items include baked breads, coffees and wines and desserts. Dinner entries include fondues, crepes and pastas. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MONA'S CAFE Faubourg Marigny, Mid-City, Uptown; www.shopno/monas.com Mona's has spread throughout the area in recent years, providing affordable Middle Eastern food. Old standbys such as gyros, tabouleh, baba ghanoush and falafel sandwiches are still available, as well as new sauteed vegetable dishes and eggplant sandwiches for vegetarians. Check out the international grocery adjacent to some locations. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

NEW ORLEANS FOOD & SPIRITS Bucktown, Northshore, West Bank Good seafood at good prices can be found at these self-serve restaurants. Try the softshell Lafayette, a fried softshell crab garnished with shrimp sauce. Beyond seafood, the Thursday special of smothered rabbit almost always sells out. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Thursday through Saturday at Bucktown and West Bank locations, lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner Wednesday through Saturday at Northshore location. Credit cards. $$

NEW ORLEANS HAMBURGER AND SEAFOOD CO. Jefferson, Metairie; www.nohsc.com Homeward-bound commuters can drive through and pick up a bag of half-pound burgers, like the Caribbean Jack with pepper Jack cheese, banana peppers, Jamaican jerk sauce and mango chutney. Patrons in less of a hurry can stop in for the seafood platter or catfish Lafitte, three fillets covered with a creamy crawfish sauce and served over crawfish rice. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PJ'S COFFEE & TEA Carrollton, CBD, Kenner, Lakeview, Metairie, Mid-City, Northshore, Old Metairie, River Ridge, Uptown, Warehouse District, West Bank; www.pjscoffee.com Now that this local chain has expanded nationally, the rest of the country will learn that PJ's iced coffee is dangerously addictive. Pastries and caffeine in all its forms are available at locations from the airport to Uptown. No reservations. Menu and hours vary by location. Credit cards. $

ROYAL BLEND COFFEE & TEA HOUSE CBD, French Quarter, Old Metairie; www.royalblendcoffee.com All three locations of Royal Blend offer a wide variety of medium, dark and dessert coffees and black, green, herbal and blended teas. The CBD location also sells an impressive selection of international magazines and newspapers, while the Royal Street Cafe's courtyard is perfect for enjoying a chicken salad sandwich, bagel and lox, or a slice of quiche. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday at Metairie and French Quarter locations. Credit cards. $

RUE DE LA COURSE COFFEEHOUSE Carrollton, CBD, Uptown The Old World feeling evoked by Rue de la Course's dark, polished wood furniture and green-shaded lamps is the perfect atmosphere for studying, snacking, or just whiling away the time with one of their specialty espresso drinks, sandwiches or pastries. Try the iced caffe mocha, which combines espresso, chocolate milk and chocolate froth and tops it with whipped cream and cocoa or cinnamon. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Cash only. $

SEMOLINA Kenner, Lakeview, Metairie, Northshore, Uptown, West Bank; www.semolina.com This local chain's signature is a quirky, international approach to pasta, offering up imaginative dishes that translate just about anything into an accompaniment for the humble noodle. The pad Thai pasta is a shrimp and vegetable stir-fry tossed with rice noodles, crushed peanuts and fresh bean sprouts. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

STARBUCKS COFFEE CO. Carrollton, French Quarter, Jefferson, Kenner, Metairie, Northshore, Uptown, West Bank Fresh pastries, muffins and bagels make up the food menu at Starbucks, but the main draws are the coffee drinks and the laid-back atmosphere for visiting or studying. Check out the frappuccinos or the Caramel Macchiato, an icy concoction that adds vanilla, caramel sauce and steamed milk to espresso. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards and checks. $

TAQUERIA CORONA Harahan, Metairie, Uptown, Warehouse District Diners will find a casual atmosphere at the four locations with a menu that seldom changes and has dishes that all are made fresh daily. Meateaters can chow down on the hearty rib-eye carne asada taco, which starts with grilled marinated rib-eye steak served with grilled cebollita (seasoned green onion), pico de gallo, onion and cilantro on a choice of a flour or corn tortilla. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily at Magazine Street location; lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday at all other locations. Credit cards. $

VINCENT'S Metairie, Northshore, Uptown A meal at Vincent's is almost as good as a trip to Italy. Guests keep coming back for corn crab bisque, veal and spinach cannelloni and the seafood-stuffed pork chop. Voted best Italian restaurant by Gambit readers in the 2004 Best of New Orleans® poll. Reservations accepted; recommended for large parties and on weekends in Mandeville. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $$

VOODOO BBQ Kenner, Lakefront, Uptown; www.voodoobbqandgrill.com The cooks at Voodoo BBQ know that good things often take time, so they slow roast their dry-rubbed brisket and pork for 16 hours. The tender meat is served with a choice of three homemade sauces and sides like corn pudding, Gris Gris Greens and Rattle Snake Beans. Voted best place to get barbecue by Gambit readers in 2004. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

WOW WINGERY Metairie, Mid-City, Northshore; www.wingery.com This place has a lot more than wings. Try the chicken quesadilla, fajitas and sweet potato pies. The selection of 15 sauces for the wings really sets these restaurants apart. Try Santa Fe chipotle, Bombay coconut curry or Italian garlic and herb. Wings are 35 cents each Monday, and on Tuesday kids can eat for less than a dollar. They have great salads, too. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

AUGIE'S TOWER OF PIZZA 4428 Downman Road 246-9948 Augie's has been hand-tossing pizza in 'the East since the 1960s. Guests can also find traditional Italian dishes, such as shrimp scampi and crawfish fettuccine. No reservations. Lunch buffet and dinner daily. Delivery available. Credit cards. $

CAUSEY'S COUNTRY KITCHEN 7245 Chef Menteur Hwy. 242-2604 If it's soul food you crave, stop by Causey's for all the old favorites: mustard greens, fried catfish, potato salad, barbecue ribs, and chitterlings and rice. For dessert, try the sweet potato pie or the bread pudding. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday, dinner Thursday and Friday. Credit cards. $

DONG PHUONG 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy. 254-0214, 254-0296 Many stop in just for the bakery, which is chock full of French bread, pastries and Vietnamese sweets such as coconut custard and banana ginger candy. The restaurant draws those who have time to sample savory Vietnamese dishes, such as duck soup with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms with egg noodles. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $

GABBY'S FOOD & SPIRITS 6600 Morrison Road 242-9829 The staff at Gabby's understand that what people want most at 4 a.m. is a plate of crispy fried chicken or a long po-boy stuffed with succulent shrimp, oysters or catfish. So they oblige their patrons, keeping the kitchen and bar open until 5 a.m. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

LAMA'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 7007 Read Lane 242-5656 Joe Lama's seafood haunt is all about good food for modest prices. His daily lunch specials start at $4.95 and most items don't get much higher than that any other time, either. You'll find all types of seafood dishes here, from barbecue shrimp to seafood platters to fried and boiled shrimp and crabs. It's a casual atmosphere, too, so come as you are.

FAUBOURG MARIGNY

13 517 Frenchmen St. 942-1345 Finally, downtown has a late-night option for healthy food. Night owls can sample vegetarian-friendly options like the baked tofu and herb sandwich on whole-grain bread or the portobello mushroom sandwich with roasted red pepper aioli. Carnivores can enjoy treats like the cold roast beef on sourdough with smoked cheddar and horseradish mayo or the authentic New York-style bagel with cream cheese and lox. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Delivery. Credit cards. $

ADAM'S BARBECUE PLUS 1246 Franklin Ave. 942-1100 Neighbors roll up their sleeves in preparation for a meal at Adam's, where the pork ribs, beef ribs and chicken are all smoked and grilled to perfection and then slathered with plenty of the house's special barbecue sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

ADOLFO'S 611 Frenchmen St. 948-3800 The party buzz from Frenchmen Street wafts up through the windows of this homey Italian neighborhood favorite, as you sip Chianti and nibble garlic bread under Italian travel posters. Dinner specials like rack of lamb and savory veal Marsala come accompanied by homemade pasta and fresh salads in a signature buttery horseradish dressing. Reservations required for parties of four or more. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$

AQUARIANS MARKETPLACE 2801 Dauphine St. 943-8884 Raw food is the specialty at this vegetarian and vegan restaurant on the edge of Faubourg Marigny. In addition to salads, sandwiches and juices, Aquarians Marketplace offers less-traditional dishes like raw pizza and raw lasagna, the latter made with a flax cracker crust and stuffed with sprouts, raw hummus, raw marinara, avocado and red peppers. No reservations. Lunch daily. Credit cards. $

BANK CAFE 2001 Burgundy St. 371-5260 The new Bank Cafe emptied the safe and installed a kitchen in this 1908 bank building. Dishes combine local ingredients with a Mediterranean flair, like the Louisiana crab beignet with horseradish aioli appetizer or the flaky black drum on Swiss chard with a saffron broth. Reservations accepted. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CAFE ROSE NICAUD 620 Frenchmen St. 949-3300 This newcomer to bustling Frenchmen Street is a relaxing escape from the outside world, with its plush, red- and gold-toned interior. Cafe denizens can enjoy wireless Internet access with espresso drinks, beer and wine, as well as pastries from La Spiga bakery and light menu items like the Asian salad: mandarin orange slices and crunchy noodles over spring mix in a sesame ginger dressing. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CAFE UNIQUE 2529 Dauphine St. 948-8884 This neighborhood joint serves soul food home cooking that's as close as you can get to your grandma's kitchen. Daily specials include Cornish hen on Sundays, seafood gumbo on Fridays and other hearty favorites like ribs and stuffed bell peppers. Don't forget to try their signature cornbread, made sweet and crumbly in-house. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $

FEELINGS CAFE 2600 Chartres St. 945-2222; www.feelingscafe.com Feelings Cafe has all the pleasures of a neighborhood restaurant -- easy, warm, comfortable -- combined with classic Creole fare. Cool autumn nights invite dining in the courtyard and relaxing to the sweet sounds of the piano. Popular starters include the pate de maison and oysters en brochette, and the chef recommends the seafood Thermidor or a Gulf fish dish as an entree. Reservations recommended. Lunch Friday, dinner nightly, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

FLORA GALLERY AND COFFEE SHOP 2600 Royal St. 947-8358 This funky coffeehouse offers its Faubourg Marigny neighbors a place to relax and enjoy a variety of eats along with their coffee. Enjoy vegetarian sandwiches, wraps and quiches. Stop by on the way to work for a bagel or croissant with your coffee-to-go. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $

LA PENICHE 1940 Dauphine St. 943-1460 La Peniche is everything one would want from a 24-hour neighborhood restaurant. The menu features a wide variety of offerings such as steaks, burgers and po-boys. Then there are items like the Kathryn burger, which consists of a burger with ham, Swiss cheese, and grilled onions on top. Or try the oysters Peniche, a toasted English muffin with a fried tomato and oysters topped with hollandaise and served Benedict style. No reservations. Open 24 hours, except for 2 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Thursday. Credit cards. $

LA SPIGA BAKERY 2440 Chartres St. 949-2253 You've only got a short window of opportunity to catch La Spiga open at its Chartres location but if you miss it you can catch them at any one of Crescent City Farmers Market locations each week. Either way, you'll find a variety of baked goods such as pastries, homemade pies, fresh soups, sandwiches, frutattas and turnovers.

THE MARIGNY BRASSERIE 640 Frenchmen St. 945-4472; www.cafemarigny.com Attracting tourists and locals who want a martini and a fish foie gras dish, Chef Bing Adams offers New Orleans cuisine with a contemporary twist. Try the Tuna Marigny: fresh yellowfin tuna seared rare with wasabi mashed potatoes, a bok choy snow pea saute and ponzu sauce. Ask for the specials. There is also the happy 'hour on Sundays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and a Sunday brunch to get your bloody Mary on. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Sunday through Saturday, Sunday brunch. Credit cards. $$

SANTE FE RESTAURANT 801 Frenchmen St. 944-6854 Sophisticated Southwestern cuisine rules this popular spot, where you can often see diners people-watching on Frenchmen Street while they wait for tables. Popular dishes include the chicken Maximilian, a boneless chicken breast pounded and rolled with chorizo and tucked into a fresh pepper. The Santa Fe combo includes a chicken enchilada, beef relleno and a pork tamale topped with poblano sauce, cheese and chili and served with rice, beans and guacamole. No reservations. Dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SCHIRO'S COMMUNITY CAFE AND BAR 2483 Royal St. 944-6666 This neighborhood bar/grocery store/laundry is many things to many people. As a cafe, it provides top-notch burgers, wraps, sandwiches and daily specials, to locals folding socks or enjoying a cocktail. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, grocery/laundry only on Sunday. Credit cards. $

SNUG HARBOR JAZZ BISTRO 626 Frenchmen St. 949-0696; www.snugjazz.com Traditional live jazz is a main draw at Snug Harbor, but the restaurant also does its part to feed the soul with entrees ranging from filet mignon to the Fish Marigny, a fillet of fish topped with Gulf shrimp and drizzled with Creole cream sauce. There's also a classic Cajun gumbo that includes shrimp, chicken, sausage, okra and, of course, rice. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

UPSTAIRS AT MIMI'S 2601 Royal St. 947-8015 Diners discover a little bit of Spain when they climb the stairs to this tapas bar above Mimi's. Some savor a glass of Spanish red and a plate of olives at the bar, while others enjoy a meal of small dishes of herbed stuffed pequillo peppers, mushroom manchego toast or gambas al ajillo (shrimp sauteed with garlic and white wine). No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

WASABI 900 Frenchmen St. 943-9433; www.wasabirestaurant.com Friendly and elegant, Wasabi can accommodate both crowds sharing sake and summer rolls (crabmeat, avocado, asparagus and smelt roe wrapped with cucumber) and couples lingering over plates of sashimi. Also popular is the Big Easy Roll, wasabi, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, snow crab, avocado and asparagus served with a mayo sauce on the side. No reservations. Lunch weekdays, dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. $$

AFT DECK OYSTER BAR 214 Royal St. (Hotel Monteleone) 523-3341; www.hotelmonteleone.com Old New Orleans charm permeates the venerable Hotel Monteleone, and anyone can sample a taste of it at the casually elegant oyster bar. Shrimp and catfish po-boys are popular choices, as is the sauteed seafood combo, which comes heaped with catfish, jumbo shrimp, crawfish and stuffed crab. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

ANTOINE'S 713 St. Louis St. 581-4422; www.antoines.com This historic landmark is famous for more than just its oysters Rockefeller, the appetizer created here and still among its most popular selections. For an entree, try either the trout amandine, or the pompano Pontchartrain, which features a grilled filet of pompano topped with crabmeat sauteed in butter. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

ARNAUD'S RESTAURANT 813 Bienville St. 523-5433; www.arnauds.com Since 1918, Arnaud's has been a staple of Creole dining in the French Quarter. Start with the signature shrimp Arnaud, marinated in remoulade sauce, or the escargot casserole, where the snails are baked in garlic herb butter and topped with pastry. Entrees bring specialties such as trout meuniere and Creole bouillabaisse, while the famous bread pudding soaked in whiskey sauce finishes things off. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

BACCO 310 Chartres St. 522-2426; www.bacco.com This airy, artsy-looking member of the Ralph Brennan restaurants offers contemporary Italian at its finest, from the homemade fresh herb focaccia with whipped ricotta to hearty specials like the osso buco over truffled mashed potatoes and the signature lobster ravioli. If that's not enough incentive, the 10-cent martinis at lunchtime certainly are. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE BAR & BISTRO AT LA LOUISIANE 725 Iberville St. 378-8200 La Louisiane's contemporary Creole menu represents a nod to its storied history -- the restaurant, first open for business in 1881, has been recently resurrected by local artist Jaye Berard Smith. Combine that with an avant-garde, hip flavor. Tradition and innovation meld in dishes like the squid-ink paella with chopped clams and chorizo, or the more down-home braised rabbit with caramelized onions over fettuccine. Reservations recommended. Lunch Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

BAYONA 430 Dauphine St. 525-4455; www.bayona.com Susan Spicer's warm, jewel-toned restaurant is famous for bringing seasonal, market-based cooking to New Orleans. Sample the best local farmers have to offer in original dishes like the crispy smoked quail salad with bourbon molasses vinaigrette, or the peppered lamb loin with herbed goat cheese and Zinfandel sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

BEGUE'S 300 Bourbon St. (Royal Sonesta Hotel) 553-2278; www.royalsonestano.com New executive chef Philippe Pinon has recently brought his considerable skills to bear on this cozy French Quarter institution, treating local seafood and Gulf fish with a Provencal flair on a new menu debuting soon. Traditions like the Friday seafood buffet and Sunday champagne brunch still remain. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, champagne brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

BELLA LUNA 914 N. Peters St. 529-1583; www.bellalunarestaurant.com Chef Horst Pfeifer is the Valentino of local chefs, with his place receiving consistent accolades for its romantic river-view atmosphere. Lovebirds can sink their teeth into specialties such as the osso buco, served with braised garden vegetables and parmesan, or the grilled yellowfin tuna with Louisiana crawfish tails, redskin potatoes and luxurious white truffle oil. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

BENNACHIN 1212 Royal St. 522-1230 The exotic West African flavors of Bennachin offer a culinary tour of Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia with dishes like the vegetarian-friendly jama jama in makonda, sauteed spinach served with plantains and coconut rice. Meat-eating visitors to this homey Quarter spot enjoy dishes like the apricot lamb served with broccoli and couscous in a light brown gravy as well as local seafood served with an African flavor. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THE BISTRO AT MAISON DE VILLE 733 Toulouse St. 528-9206; www.hotelmaisondeville.com Just a block off of Bourbon Street, this cozy upscale bistro could easily be tucked away on a Parisian side street. Savory seared scallops are wrapped with bacon and served with leek gnocchi and paneed asparagus, and their rustic Francophile version of surf and turf is a bacon-wrapped filet mignon of venison in a caramelized onion glaze served with grilled shrimp, yam lyonnaise souffle, asparagus, grilled apple, arugula and smoked sea salt relish. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$$

BOURBON HOUSE SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR 144 Bourbon St. 522-0111; www.bourbonhouse.com This bustling, modern seafood house combines the party energy of its Bourbon Street address with the high culinary bar set by its Brennan brethren. The raw bar, open till midnight nightly, produces creations like the impressive Plateau de Fruits de Mer -- an imposing tower of fresh, cold, local seafood. The menu changes seasonally to spotlight fresh local ingredients, but the signature Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch remains a sweet, creamy, whiskey-laced constant. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, brunch Saturday and Sunday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

BRENNAN'S RESTAURANT 417 Royal St. 525-9711; www.brennansneworleans.com The institution that is breakfast at Brennan's has been overstuffing loyal New Orleanians for half a century. Time-tested originals like the eggs Hussarde -- poached eggs atop Holland rusks with Marchand de Vin and Hollandaise sauces -- will keep you going throughout the day, as will tempting desserts like bananas Foster and Creole chocolate suicide cake. Reservations required. Breakfast, brunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

BROUSSARD'S RESTAURANT 819 Conti St. 581-3866; www.broussards.com Broussard's famous courtyard, with its picturesque cobblestones, bubbling fountain and aromatic night-blooming jasmine, is the perfect setting for an indulgent journey through contemporary New Orleans cuisine. Start with the rich casserole Florentine -- baked crabmeat in an artichoke and Brie bechamel sauce surrounded by a border of spinach -- and move on to the poached redfish and asparagus in a piquant Herbsaint beurre blanc. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO. 429 Decatur St. 522-5800; www.bubbagump.com From the award-winning film has sprouted the fun, crustacean-themed family restaurant, that serves (what else?) popcorn shrimp, fried shrimp, Cajun shrimp, boiled shrimp, coconut shrimp and many other variations -- as well as Southern favorites like fried chicken, Dixie-style baby back ribs and a down-home barbecue platter. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CAFE AU LAIT 307 Chartres St. 528-9933 Beyond its namesake drink, Cafe Au Lait serves up a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries and heartier fare from the grill. The picture windows offer a perfect vantage point for Quarter people-watching while you enjoy a gourmet omelette from the all-day breakfast menu or a Fat Tuesday sandwich -- turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. Delivery available. $

CAFE DE MELLO 81 French Market Place 522-3121; www.cafedemello.com Emphasizing the French in French Market, Cafe de Mello whips up sweet and savory crepes. Patrons can't resist the house special crepe with ham, egg, cheese and salsa, and the Brazilian, a crepe with ricotta cheese, ham, pineapple, banana and roasted cashews. Cafe de Mello brews only shade-grown, organic, fair trade coffee, bien sur. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

CAFE GUMBOLAYA 1000 N. Peters St. 523-7418 With specialties such as the catfish Pontchartrain, a fried fillet topped with shrimp and crawfish etouffee and served with jambalaya, Cafe Gumbolaya has a solid repertoire of local favorites to serve up in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Late risers will also appreciate the all-day breakfast menu. Reservations accepted for large groups. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CAFE LATROBE 707 Conti St. 568-9992 New Orleans-style breakfasts provide brain food for the day with eggs any style, ham, bacon or sausage, pancakes, waffles and grits. There also are three types of eggs Benedict, including one that stacks seared filet mignon medallions and tomato on an English muffin and tops them with poached eggs and bearnaise sauce. New Orleans Surf and Turf Biscuits serves up Gulf shrimp and filet mignon tips in a Creole cream gravy over rosemary biscuits. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

CAJUN CABIN 503 Bourbon St. 529-4256; www.cajuncabin.com It's not hard to pass a good time at the Cajun Cabin. Live Cajun and zydeco music nightly and a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street add even more spice to your gumbo and red beans. Also check out the expanded dining options next door at the Five O' Clock Grill, which offers the Southern-style barbecue favorites of succulent beef brisket, chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CC'S COFFEE 941 Royal St. 581-6996; www.ccscoffee.com See 'Citywide listing for restaurant description.

CENTRAL GROCERY 923 Decatur St. 523-1620 After nearly a century, this original home of the muffaletta sandwich has its formula just about perfect, piling salami, olive salad and cheeses onto round rolls. The gourmet grocery also offers exotic imported food items to take home. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CHARTRES HOUSE CAFE 601 Chartres St. 586-8383 At this casual sit-down restaurant, guests enjoy plates of New Orleans classics, including jambalaya and red beans and rice. Chartres House always keeps the kitchen open late into the evening. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CHEZ VODUN 822 N. Rampart St., 558-0653; www.africanvodun.com The cafe at the new museum of voodoo doesn't need a hex to make spookily tasty treats like the voodoo chicken: West African-style stewed chicken with vegetables in a spicy, savory brown gravy. Along with all the New Orleans standards on the menu, there's a wickedly good 100 percent sirloin burger good enough to offer to the loa. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

CLOVER GRILL 900 Bourbon St. 598-1010; www.clovergrill.com The breakfast comfort foods at this colorful all-night diner include biscuits and white gravy, three-egg omelettes and grits, while the mushroom bacon cheeseburger is cooked to juicy doneness under a hubcap. And the shakes and malts go down nicely. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

COFFEE POT 714 St. Peter St. 524-3500 Whether you are preparing for a full day of work or a day of wandering the French Quarter, the Coffee Pot gets you started with generous helpings of Lost Bread (aka French toast) and callas (rice beignets). Later meals offer regional favorites like red beans and rice and jambalaya. End the meal right with some old-fashioned bread pudding that's filled with raisins and topped with a whiskey sauce. Reservations required for large parties. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CORNER OYSTER BAR AND GRILL 500 St. Peter St. 522-2999; www.thecorneroysterbarandgrill.com Regulars at this lively tavern say the seafood sampler is looking mighty good right about now, and of course, oysters on the half-shell are the taste of the season. Be sure to order a side of battered and deep-fried pickles as they go down well with a cold pint. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

COUNTRY FLAME 620 Iberville St. 522-1138 Surprisingly enough, with the wealth of food in this city it's sometimes hard to find good Mexican food. Country Flame delivers authentic Mexican, as well as Spanish dishes like Puerco Frito, fried pork marinated days in advance to ensure tenderness, served with yuca, rice, French fries or tostones. No reservations. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CRESCENT CITY BREWHOUSE 527 Decatur St. 522-0571; www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com It's probably enough to mention that Crescent City Brewhouse brews its own premium beers, but the seafood is also worth recommending. Red Fish Tchoupitoulas features a pan-seared redfish fillet topped with fried oysters and a spicy barbecue sauce. The crabmeat-stuffed shrimp also is recommended. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CROISSANT D'OR PATISSERIE 617 Ursulines Ave. 524-4663 The romantic courtyard at this French Quarter jewel is a lovely spot to sip strong coffee and munch on buttery pastries as the day begins. At lunchtime things are more business-like, with daily soup specials and hot croissant sandwiches, including one made with bechamel and Swiss cheese. For a sweet afternoon treat try the raspberry tart or chocolate eclair. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $

DEANIE'S SEAFOOD 841 Iberville St. 581-1316 Deanie's brings diners all the bounty of the sea. The barbecue shrimp are a spicy favorite that features jumbo, head-on shrimp sauteed in a unique blend of seasonings. The giant seafood platter should satisfy just about anyone with its abundance of fresh shrimp, oysters, catfish, softshell crabs and crawfish balls. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

DEJA VU RESTAURANT AND BAR 400 Dauphine St. 523-1936; www.dejavurestaurant-bar.com This French Quarter spot may well seem familiar, as it's a regular stop for libations and snacks at all hours of the day and night. The Southwest egg rolls and chicken tenders are popular finger foods, while more substantial meals include a pot roast platter or chicken-fried steak. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

DESIRE OYSTER BAR 300 Bourbon St. (Royal Sonesta Hotel) 586-0300; www.royalsonestano.com Guests and locals alike take a break from the mayhem of Bourbon Street at this casual street-front eatery, where the juicy, succulent oysters on the half-shell go down easy with cold beer. The oysters Desire, baked with garlic butter, parmesan cheese and Creole spices, quench hunger pangs and may encourage amorous thoughts. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

DICKIE BRENNAN'S STEAKHOUSE 716 Iberville St. 522-CHOP (2467) This restaurant is the Brennan family's contribution to carnivorous fine dining in the city, and it's been much appreciated. Get your prime beef grilled, seared, broiled or roasted to taste, or try one of the specials, including the filet served with flash-fried oysters and bearnaise sauce, served on a bed of creamed spinach. There are more casual options on the lunch menu, including a steak salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

DONNA'S BAR & GRILL 800 N. Rampart St. 596-6914; www.donnasbarandgrill.com Donna's combines the two main reasons to come to New Orleans: good food and live music. Enjoy artists such as the Treme Brass Band, Bob French and Friends, and Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott while chowing down on the likes of barbecue and, of course, Monday's red beans. No reservations. Dinner Thursday through Monday. Credit cards. $

THE EMBERS ORIGINAL BOURBON HOUSE 700 Bourbon St. 523-1485; www.emberssteakhouse.com Most diners come to The Embers for the juicy steaks, where the house special is an 8-oz. filet topped with jumbo barbecue shrimp and served over garlic mashed potatoes with a demi-glace sauce. There's also the classic prime rib dinner: a 28-oz. prime rib served with a baked potato and house salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch Saturday and Sunday, dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$

FELIX'S RESTAURANT AND OYSTER BAR 739 Iberville St. (another entrance at 210 Bourbon St.) 522-4440; www.felixs.com For more than 55 years, Felix's has been a French Quarter destination. Belly up to the oyster bar for the succulent bivalves. Cooked offerings include shrimp, lobster, crab, calamari, trout, catfish and crawfish. Italian, Cajun and Creole specialties along with sandwiches, soups, steaks, chops, omelettes and chicken round out the menu. No reservations. Late breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

FIORELLA'S CAFE 45 French Market Place 528-9566 This bustling restaurant has been around since 1906. Try the daily special or crispy fried chicken with a side of mac and cheese. Traditional gumbo and po-boys are available, or for the more adventurous there's the unique fried pickle po-boy. No reservations. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

GALATOIRE'S RESTAURANT 209 Bourbon St. 525-2021; www.galatoires.com Since 1905, Galatoire's has combined rich Creole flavors and an elegant, timeless atmosphere. Start with the classic shrimp remoulade, then try the pompano topped with crabmeat meuniere. For dessert, the delectable banana bread pudding goes well with a cup of strong French coffee. Gentleman must wear jackets after 5 p.m. daily and all day on Sunday. Reservations recommended upstairs. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

GIROD'S BISTRO 500 Chartres St. 524-9752 This upscale adjunct to the Napoleon House Bar and Cafe is where Mediterranean and southern French food are given a touch of Louisiana flair. The house recommends the bouillabaisse, a saffron-tomato broth chock full of fresh Gulf fish, shrimp and oysters and topped with aioli and a falafel cake. No reservations. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

GUMBO SHOP 630 St. Peters St. 525-1486; www.gumboshop.com When you yearn for a dark roux loaded with seafood and thickened with okra, the Gumbo Shop is likely to satisfy your craving. The chicken and andouille gumbo is a popular variation on the theme, and the gumbo z'herbes is a vegetarian rendition featuring collards, turnips, mustard greens, cabbage, smoked mushrooms and red beans. There are also daily special gumbos, such as smoked duck and oyster. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GW FINS 808 Bienville St. 581-3467; www.gwfins.com Owners Gary Wollerman and Tenney Flynn have earned a strong national notice (Southern Living, Food and Wine, Esquire) by having their seafood flown in from around the world daily. This fall, visitors and locals alike will flock to GW Fins to enjoy fresh snapper and calamari. The award-winning menu includes lobster dumplings, wood-grilled sea scallops, cashew peppercorn swordfish and individually prepared apple pies. The wine list features more than 100 wines, with 70 available by the glass. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

HAAGEN-DAZS 621 St. Peter St. 523-4001; www.haagendazs.com See 'Citywide' listing for restaurant description.

HOUSE OF BLUES 225 Decatur St. 529-BLUE (2583); www.hob.com The main draw is, of course, the top national music acts. But you can grab a bite to eat while you're at it. Baby back ribs slow-smoked Tennessee-style with a Jim Beam barbecue sauce and pan-seared Voodoo Shrimp are the standouts here. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards, checks. $$

HOUSE OF SEAFOOD 301 Decatur St. 522-4964 The House of Seafood reels in diners with its menu of seafood, fish and blue-plate specials. Management recommends the baked Maine lobster split and stuffed with crabmeat dressing. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE HUNT ROOM GRILL 214 Royal St. (Hotel Monteleone) 523-3341; www.hotelmonteleone.com This French Quarter spot recently remodeled its dining room and menu. The house recommends the new starter called Black Bay Oysters, baked oysters on the half-shell topped with shrimp, crabmeat and a wild mushroom sauce. The snapper and filet are popular entrees, and the Marquis Chocolat should fix your sweet tooth with chocolate roulade soaked in Kirsch and served with a mango-raspberry sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

IRENE'S CUISINE 539 St. Phillip St. 529-8811 Still on the top of many a visitor's list is Irene's Cuisine. This bustling, convivial restaurant features comforting pasta dishes enveloped in sauce and enjoyed in a candlelit atmosphere. A popular entree features a fried softshell crab served on a bed of linguine and topped with a tomato basil cream sauce. Don't forget dessert since they just added blueberry cobbler, which melts in the mouth. No reservations. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

JILLY JOE'S 91 French Market Place 525-5637 We can't think of a better way to introduce this place than with the Taste of New Orleans: a sample of gumbo made with chicken, ham and sausage, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and fresh fried catfish and French fries. Intimidated? Play it safe with the hamburger plate, with a half-pound pure beef patty flame broiled, dressed with mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle and served with French fries. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THE JIMANI 141 Chartres St. 524-0493 The Jimani is a holdover from the days before French Quarter gentrification, with its weathered bar and tall bar stools packed with regulars and locals. The food is unpretentious -- pizza, burgers and other typical bar fare -- although items such as an 8-oz. filet mignon sandwich, the Reuben and the chicken club come as pleasant surprises. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

JIMMY BUFFETT'S MARGARITAVILLE CAFE 1104 Decatur St. 592-2565; www.margaritavilleneworleans.com They come for the Cheeseburger in Paradise, but then order the seafood dishes. The Coconut Telegraph Shrimp are dipped in coconut batter and fried and served with Caribbean steamed veggies, diced sweet potatoes and orange marmalade horseradish sauce. As to be expected, from 3 p.m. to midnight, the music's always live, and there's never a cover. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

JOHNNY'S PO-BOY RESTAURANT 511 St. Louis St. 524-8129; www.josiedegrusha.com New Orleans po-boy lovers owe a debt of gratitude to Johnny's for years of sandwich preparation. Every day, classic po-boys come loaded with oyster, roast beef, sausage and shrimp. The Johnny's Special features roast beef, ham and cheese. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $

K-PAUL'S LOUISIANA KITCHEN 416 Chartres St. 596-2530; www.kpauls.com The menu at this New Orleans icon still features the freshest ingredients available, and there is still no freezer on the premesis. Though the menu changes daily a few signature dishes are usually available. Turtle soups and adouille gumbo will get you started, followed by signature dishes such as blackened twin beef tenders debris or blackened stuffed pork chop mushroom zinfandel. Reservations accepted. Lunch Thursday through Saturday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

KRYSTAL'S 116 Bourbon St. 523-4030; www.krystal.com No matter what the hour or budget, Krystal's reliable fast food menu of cheap burgers, fries and hot dogs (known as 'pups') always comes through in a pinch. It also serves up breakfast for a quick bite of scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches or other traditional sides in the mornings. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Cash only. $

LA CHATELAINE 800 Iberville St. (Chateau Sonesta Hotel) 586-0800; www.chateausonestahotel.com For a quaint breakfast off Bourbon Street, La Chatelaine offers a menu of standard breakfast fair with a French flavor. Beyond items like pastries, coffee cakes and fresh fruits, there are also plates like eggs Pontchartrain, which consists of eggs on an English muffin and topped with shrimp and crabmeat, creamed spinach and hollandaise sauce. Reservations accepted. Breakfast daily. Credit cards. $

MAMA ROSA'S SLICE OF ITALY 616 N. Rampart St. 523-5546 This French Quarter pizza place provides customers with the all the basics: sandwiches, appetizers and, of course, pizza. The most popular is Mama's Everything, her version of the supreme. Mama Rosa's also offers muffalettas and mini muffalettas. Reservations for large groups. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MAXIMO'S ITALIAN GRILL 1117 Decatur St. 586-8883; www.maximositaliangrill.com Located on Decatur Street by the French Market, Maximo's regional Italian cuisine offers all the traditional styles of Italian cooking such as pastas and antipastos. But don't forget the skilled presentation of lamb, filet mignon and other red meat and seafood dishes like Gamberoni Agrodolce, which is jumbo shrimp with garlic, sherry and lemon. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MIKE ANDERSON'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 215 Bourbon St. 524-3884; www.mikeandersons.com Located just off the streetcar line (and next door to the Bourbon Street festivities), Mike Anderson's is perfect for visitors. Mike recommends the Quails and Tails -- two semi-boneless quails lightly marinated, stuffed with a crabmeat dressing and served with a side of crawfish etouffee. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MONA LISA RESTAURANT 1212 Royal St. 522-6746 Start off with a crispy Caesar salad with Mona Lisa's homemade croutons and Caesar dressing. Follow up with the spinach lasagna, or one of the smiling lady's specialty pizzas. Reservations recommended. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MONAGHAN'S ERIN ROSE 811 Conti St. 299-8496 This is the final destination for an annual French Quarter Halloween parade. The locally owned tavern offers affordable daily blue plate specials for lunch. The management recommends that newcomers try the Pub salad, fresh Romaine lettuce and spinach with Gorgonzola cheese, fresh pear slices, and spicy pecans tossed with a cranberry vinaigrette. A vegetable variation is available to vegetarians. Major cards. No reservations. Open daily. $

MR. B'S BISTRO 201 Royal St. 523-2078; www.mrbsbistro.com Mr. B's prepares Creole cuisine in a simple and honest bistro style. Barbecue shrimp is the main star, but the country-style Gumbo Ya Ya with chicken and andouille, and the bacon-wrapped shrimp, are also good bets. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Monday through Sunday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

OLDE NAWLINS COOKERY 729 Conti St. 529-3663; www.oldenawlinscookery.com The Cookery treats visitors and locals to all the blockbusters of New Orleans cuisine, including alligator sausage po-boys and a blackened redfish that's topped with crawfish tails and a lemon butter sauce. The stuffed bell peppers are a specialty, packed with hot sausage and ground beef and covered in marinara sauce, sauteed shrimp and crawfish. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

OLIVIER'S CREOLE RESTAURANT 204 Decatur St. 525-7734 As the name suggests, Olivier's specializes in Creole cuisine and serves the traditional New Orleans dishes thought of as Creole, but offers its own twists. Olivier's gives diners a choice of okra, Creole and file gumbos, for instance. There's also the Creole rabbit, a quartered, oven-braised rabbit slow-simmered in a dark roux-based gravy. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PALACE CAFE 605 Canal St. 523-1661; www.palacecafe.com Patrons of this Brennan-owned restaurant start with the crabmeat cheesecake, a combination of crabmeat and Creole cream cheese baked in a pecan crust and topped with a meuniere sauce. One of the most popular entrees is the shrimp Tchefuncte, Gulf shrimp sauteed with garlic, green onions and roasted mushrooms in a meuniere sauce over popcorn rice. On weekends, the restaurant also offers a jazz brunch. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PERISTYLE 1041 Dumaine St. 593-9535 Tom Wolfe of Wolfe's of New Orleans took over Anne Kearney Sand's award-winning jewel and is keeping the tradition alive but with his own unique take. For starters, try the veal sweetbreads before moving on to the duck breast with foie gras. Reservations recommended. Lunch Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

QUARTER SCENE RESTAURANT 900 Dumaine St. 522-6533 This colorful Quarter joint was once a favorite haunt of Tennessee Williams, who fueled his creative efforts with hearty Southern breakfasts such as the Belgian waffles and signature omelettes. Dinner favorites include the pecan catfish, a cornmeal-breaded fillet deep-fried and served in a crawfish reduction. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

RALPH & KACOO'S THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 519 Toulouse St. 522-5226; www.ralphandkacoos.com Family-friendly fun in the French Quarter can be had at Ralph and Kacoo's, while you watch the party go by through the big picture windows in the front bar. Start out with the taste of Louisiana appetizer -- a trio of fried crawfish tails, alligator and popcorn shrimp -- and move on to specialties like the Mahi-Mahi Bourbon Street, charbroiled and topped with sauteed shrimp and hollandaise sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

RED FISH GRILL 115 Bourbon St. 598-1200; www.redfish.com Fresh Gulf fish is the star of Chef Gregg Collier's show, with at least seven varieties on the menu each night. The Bourbon Street appetizer sampler for two to four people includes coconut shrimp, grilled alligator sausage, mini crabcakes and barbecue oysters. Be sure to inquire about the Louisiana Bounty, a nightly chef's special featuring the freshest market seafood catches daily. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

RIB ROOM 621 St. Louis St. 529-7045 Customers who come back for the juicy, slow-roasted prime ribs will enjoy a new treat; a brand-new rotisserie, specially built and imported from France to take its place in the dining room and show off the Rib Room's special techniques for all to see. Beyond the famous steaks, there's also a caramelized salmon and a pan-roasted redfish topped with lump crabmeat. Atkins devotees can now refer to the chef's special low-carb recommendations on the menu. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

RIVER 127' 100 Iberville St. (Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place, 11th floor) 553-5082; www.wyndham.com The mighty Mississippi is on full display with the panoramic view offered by River 127'. Watch the barges slowly make their way downriver as you enjoy dishes like the shrimp Grand Isle, battered and fried and served in a lemon butter garlic sauce. The crab cake appetizer, pan-fried in butter and finished with a lemon butter sauce, is also a favorite. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

SAMMY'S 627 Bourbon St. 525-8442 Dinner on a patio facing Bourbon Street isn't for the faint of heart, but nothing will fortify you better for the party than Sammy's steaks, lobsters and local specialties. Try the Taste of New Orleans special, with gumbo, jambalaya and a crawfish pie, and maybe even catch some beads from your table. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SILKY O'SULLIVAN'S 311 Decatur St. 525-1011 Three big-screen TVs show all the major ballgames, while sports fans and barbecue aficionados chow down on Memphis-style ribs and pulled pork have been smoked for 10 hours over apple wood. The barbecue treats are dry-rubbed, but diners can request Silky's special sauce to slather over them. Platters are served with a choice of French fries, butter and sour cream potatoes, a house salad or any two side items. There's also live music. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

THE STEAK PIT 609 Bourbon St. 525-3406; www.hugeassbeers.com The Web site address should give you an indication of favored libations and the name hints at the meaty menu. The hearty New York strip is served with a baked potato, onion soup and garden salad, while the Jim Beam barbecue ribs feature half a slab of St. Louis-style ribs slowly cooked with a Jim Beam barbecue sauce and served with New Orleans 'filthy' rice. No reservations. Dinner daily, late night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$

TORTORICI'S 441 Royal St. 522-4295; www.tortoricis.com Italian and Creole tastes are married in the menu at Tortorici's in dishes such as stuffed redfish braciola, a fresh redfish that's filled with seafood stuffing before it is rolled, paneed and baked then topped with fresh Louisiana shrimp and mushrooms in a light cream sauce. In the Oysters St. John, Louisiana oysters are flash-fried, then baked in layers of sauteed eggplant, mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TRICOU HOUSE 711 Bourbon St. 525-8379; www.711bourbon.com Tricou House aims to satisfy big eaters with its daily all-you-can-eat specials: catfish on Monday and Thursday, barbecue ribs on Wednesday and Sunday, and boiled Cajun shrimp daily. For those not trying to test the outer limits of their appetite, the chef claims to serve the best etouffee on Bourbon Street. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TUJAGUE'S 823 Decatur St. 525-8676; www.tujagues.com The city's second oldest restaurant has been satisfying patrons since before the Civil War. The prix fixe menu features New Orleans classics like shrimp remoulade and the not-to-be-missed beef brisket with Creole sauce. Lighter items available at the bar. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

VERTI MARTE 1201 Royal St. 525-4767; www.vertimarte.com Verti Marte's kitchen never closes. French Quarter revelers can recharge in the middle of the night with a Mushroom Mountain, a sandwich piled high with grilled and fresh mushrooms topped with provolone or Swiss cheese. Early risers can have an omelette delivered to their door. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Delivery available. Credit cards for in-store purchases. $

VICTOR'S GRILL 921 Canal St. (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 524-1331; www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/new_orleans Victor's Grill, with its elegant decor and favorites like lobster Thermidor and grilled New York strip with seared foie gras, serves up classic fine dining. The pecan-crusted rack of lamb is served with grilled vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. An extensive and reasonably priced wine list adds to the experience. Complimentary valet parking. Reservations highly recommended. Breakfast daily, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

YO MAMA'S BAR AND GRILL 727 St. Peter St. 522-1125 After kicking back a few of Yo Mama's 63 varieties of tequila, diners are ready to stare down the horns of the Bullfighter burger, loaded with jalapenos, avocado and salsa. Anyone stout enough to finish both the one-pound Mega burger and the accompanying baked potato will be rewarded with a free beer. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

ZYDEQUE 808 Iberville St. 565-5520; www.zydeque.com Zydecue smokes its Cajun, dry-rubbed barbecue over hickory and pecan right in the heart of the French Quarter. Plates pilled high with Memphis-style ribs accompanied by boudin balls and Southern Comfort mashed sweet potatoes sell well all day long. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MALONEY'S RESTAURANT 5000 Old Gentilly Road 942-2400 Maloney's offers a breakfast buffet, a seafood buffet and a brunch buffet at various times and days of the week. Other days the buffet line is stocked with fried fish, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, pastas, red beans, soup and salads bars. Then there is a menu that features breakfast all day, pizzas, po-boys, burgers, ribs and a lot more. No reservations. Open 24 hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $

TEDDY'S GRILL 5325 Franklin Ave. 288-9370 Open since 1961, Teddy's Grill serves down-home classics, like fried chicken cooked to order. The roast beef is slow cooked on premises and the gravy is made from scratch. Have it on a po-boy or on a plate. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Wednesday through Friday. Credit cards. $

CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD 8311 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 737-9190 This family-run seafood joint has been boiling crawfish and batter-frying catfish since 1951, so they know how to do it right. The bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp is a perennial favorite, as is the deservedly Famous Seafood Platter, loaded up with fried shrimp, oysters, catfish and stuffed crab. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch daily, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SHIMMY SHACK 1855 Dock St., Harahan 729-4442 The owners of Rivershack Tavern converted the old Pontchartrain Bank building into a restaurant and bar with video poker machines in the former vault and a variety of daily specials. A favorite from the regular menu is the chicken quesadilla, which starts with grilled breast meat, cheese, guacamole, diced tomatoes and chipotle mayonnaise on tortilla rounds and finishes the mix on a hot grilling iron that melts the cheese inside and crisply toasts the outside. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $

SMILIE'S RESTAURANT 5725 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 733-3000 A tradition in Harahan for 25 years, owner Augie Lopez adds zest to Smilie's signature dishes such as veal Augie, which starts with panee veal and tops it with a lump crabmeat, mushroom and shallot sauce and serves it with potatoes and vegetables. Smilie's stuffs its eggplant pirogue with seafood dressing and mozzarella cheese before topping it with marinara sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SOPHISTICATED SALADS 6387 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 737-1860 Lettuce and pasta become canvases for works of culinary art at this little restaurant, where the chicken honey-mustard salad includes Romaine lettuce dressed up with tomato, chicken, walnuts, Monterey Jack cheese and honey-mustard dressing and is served with crackers and dessert. Shrimp and pasta includes spiral pasta topped with shrimp, pico de gallo (made with tomato, celery and black olives), Parmesan cheese and Parmesan dressing, plus dessert. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Monday through Friday. Delivery available for orders of three or more salads. Credit cards and checks. $

WINNERS FOOD AND SPIRITS 2216 Hickory Ave., Harahan 737-3148 Sal and Kim have brought their 30 years of culinary expertise to Winners. For lunch, the husband and wife team serves up classic New Orleans cuisine like red beans and rice. For dinner, they feature Italian favorites, such as stuffed eggplant and a rotating list of specials. No reservations. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

BLUE TOMATO 4404 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson 734-3000 With Mexican, Italian and good old American bar-and-grill offerings, this funky tavern is sure to please, from pizza to burritos to burgers. Try the Blue Tomato Combination pizza, with green peppers, onions, sausage, mushrooms and olives in red or white sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

CHUN LEE RESTAURANT 1101 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson 733-8562 Chun Lee's convenient location near the AMC Palace 20 theater in Elmwood makes it a good choice for inexpensive dinner-and-a-movie dates. The rotating lunch specials won't take a bite out of your wallet, with choices such as Mandarin chicken and Hunan duck, both for under $5. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

COFFEE COTTAGE 5860 Citrus Blvd., Jefferson 818-0051 The Coffee Cottage can be a useful stop in a busy day, with hot and iced coffee drinks, pastries, and light and tasty meals. Among the gourmet salad menu is the pesto Caesar salad, which can be topped with salmon, chicken or crawfish. Vegetarians will enjoy the focaccia pizza with spinach, artichoke spread, mushrooms, tomatoes and both feta and Swiss cheese, and everyone digs into the white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

CRABBY JACK'S 428 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson 833-2722 This sister restaurant to Jack Leonardi's Jacques-Imo's in Uptown brings the same fresh approach to seafood in an even more casual atmosphere. You can find Austin Leslie's famed fried chicken here as well as the ever-popular cochon de lait po-boy. For the coming cooler weather there's the duck and andouille gumbo. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

DECKBAR & GRILLE 1715 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson 837-7665 Mary Gracianette (food) and Bud Whalen (music) of Rivershack Tavern fame have taken over Pat Gillen's in Old Jefferson, and their reliable habits are shining through. Check out the boiled seafood, fried pickles and the Sister-In-Law Debris: a beef brisket served with gravy and hollowed-out French bread. Another popular dish is the stuffed catfish topped with crab bisque. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

RIVERSHACK TAVERN 3449 River Road, Jefferson 837-7118/834-4938 The fun, rowdy atmosphere at the Rivershack is in full swing Saturday nights, when there's never a cover for live local music. The late-night bar menu focuses on deli sandwiches and quirky treats like the alligator pizza. Lunch specials include eclectic dishes like the Mediterranean stuffed chicken breasts and the buttery chicken Kiev. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

SOUTHERN PO-BOYS 720 Claiborne Drive, Jefferson 835-3035 As the name implies, the specialty is po-boys, but the restaurant also serves daily plate lunches. The most popular po-boys are shrimp (dressed however you like) and roast beef drenched in gravy, but oyster, catfish, softshell crab po-boys and Italian muffalettas also have devoted followings. Desserts include cheesecake, bread pudding and housemade brownies. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

VENEZIA 587 Central Ave., Jefferson 734-3991 Diners feel like family when they tuck into the classic Italian dishes at Venezia, which has recently expanded to Jefferson. Enjoy large plates of trout amandine or eggplant Vatican, a hollowed-out, batter-fried eggplant stuffed with seafood cream sauce. The New York-style pizza is also popular. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

KENNER

ANDY MESSINA'S RESTAURANT 2717 Williams Blvd., Kenner 469-7373; www.messinas-restaurant.com The Messina family has been kind enough to share classic Italian dishes with a Creole twist for almost half a century now. Show your appreciation by sampling signature dishes like the veal Spedine, stuffed with eggplant dressing and baked in red gravy and mozzarella cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

ASIAN SUPER BUFFET 3900 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 712-0899 Each day, the Super Buffet lays out 300 dishes, which can be yours for $5.99 during lunch, $8.99 during dinner. Scoop up everything from steamed flounder with ginger sauce to salt-and-pepper shrimp, sushi, and Mongolian barbecue. Or sit at the table and pay per plate as dim sum waiters circulate with freshly made items like shrimp dumplings. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CAFE D'CAPPUCCINO 4041 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-2299 There's more than just cappuccino at this casual Kenner coffeehouse and diner, including the new low-carb wraps, hearty club sandwiches and gourmet omelettes named after local athletes who hang out there. After Eddie's Breakfast -- three scrambled eggs, grits and two biscuits -- you'll be inspired to go on a triathlon. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

CASA TEQUILA 3229 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-5423 This family-owned Kenner spot offers up authentic Mexican cooking complemented by a fine and extensive selection of premium tequilas. Try the house special fajitas -- made with your choice of chicken, steak or shrimp, served with shredded cheese, pico de gallo and guacamole -- or the veggie-friendly spinach and artichoke quesadilla. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DIA ROMA CAFE 3712 Williams Blvd., Suite O, Kenner 443-6663 Dia Roma is most known for its inventive gourmet pizzas, such as the chicken fajita pizza with grilled chicken breast, mushrooms, peppers, and a creamy Alfredo sauce. But the menu continues with foot-long sandwiches and pasta dinners, including the shrimp Alfredo dinner where angel hair pasta is tossed with veggies and shrimp and served with garlic bread. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

FIESTA LATINA RESTAURANT 1924 Airline Drive, 469-5792 In keeping with the fiery spirit of Hispanic cooking, Fiesta Latina serves up authentic traditional Mexican dishes. The most popular item is the carne asada, a time-honored barbecued beef dish. The beef is grilled with rock salt and lime juice and served with rice, beans, salad and plantains. Breakfast is no less authentic, serving huevos rancheros with fresh pineapple. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $

JAZZ SEAFOOD & STEAKHOUSE 2722 Williams Blvd., Kenner 468-3237 New owners George Messina and Scott Korndorffer invite you to try out their kicked-up menu. As a starter, they recommend the eggplant Napoleon featuring thick slices of eggplant sauteed with onions, peppers and garlic and then layered with Louisiana crawfish tails, shrimp and crabmeat in a Romano cream sauce. Premium aged steaks are the entrees of choice, but there are also seafood items such as barbecue shrimp and blackened tuna. Check out the bananas Foster pie for dessert. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

KENNER SUPERMARKET 3750 Williams Blvd., Kenner 469-1993 There are always tables available at the spacious Kenner Supermarket, where Spanish and Central American dishes are served up by the Honduran owners and staff. Authentic plates such as carne asada, parrillada, tamales and tacos adorn the menu and Central American arts and crafts decorate the walls. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

LE PARVENU RESTAURANT 509 Williams Blvd., Kenner 471-0534 Innovative American Creole cuisine is a perfect description of the menu at Le Parvenu. Regulars rave over the mirliton shrimp and crab bisque before moving on to the lobster Le Parvenu: paneed lobster with a Newburg-type filling. There is also an eloquent Sunday brunch with complimentary champagne. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

LITTLE TOKYO RESTAURANT PART II 3225 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-7660 Japanese food lovers will find their dreams have come true when they partake of Little Tokyo Part II's buffet. Decked out with sushi rolls, tempura dishes and Dungeness crab, the line also has a hibachi grill for cooking items like rib-eyes, shrimp and scallops to order. There is also a salad bar and desserts to bookend the meal. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

MADRID RESTAURANTE 2723 Roosevelt Blvd., Kenner 369-5599 Diners rave about the paella at this new white-tablecloth Spanish restaurant. Tapas, rabbit Sevilla, osso buco Madrid and a selection of wines from every region of Spain are also on the menu. Reservations accepted. After church lunch Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MR. GYROS GREEK RESTAURANT 3232 Williams Blvd., Kenner 466-6833 The authentic Greek food at Mr. Gyros includes entrees such as roasted lamb and lamb chops along with Greek salads and, of course, gyros are all over the menu. They also have numerous special events. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.

SPEAKEASY SPORTS BAR & GRILL 4345 Williams Blvd., Kenner 466-4069 A lively neighborhood bar near Treasure Chest Casino, Speakeasy attracts regulars who like to watch games on a 60-inch screen TV, throw darts or play pool or video games. When they're hungry, customers chow on a signature 10-oz. Speakeasy burger made to order and dressed, but don't forget the half-pound rib-eye steak with French fries. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

STINGRAY'S SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR 1303 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 443-4040 You may want to order your dinner before you get too far into the signature Stingtini, a martini of rum, blue Curacao, pineapple and other fruity juices. Then you can enjoy the pleasure of chicken Atchafalaya or shrimp Nicole, the latter of which incorporates shrimp, diced mushrooms and green onions served over a choice of fettuccine or angle hair pasta. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TRAUTH'S LAKE HOUSE & STEAMERY 3700 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-6488 You can get seafood cooked anyway you like it here, or go for menu standards such as broiled catfish stuffed with crabmeat, or crabmeat au gratin, which stars lump white crabmeat topped with melted cheese and served with garlic rounds, new potatoes and a house salad. Reservations accepted for eight or more. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

YUTARO 3235 Williams Blvd., Kenner 466-7040 Grab the chopsticks and slurp down a delicious bowl of noodles at Yutaro. The house special ramen, egg noodles in pork soup topped with sliced pork and vegetables, puts a smile on guests' faces. Also popular are the ginger pork rolls, sliced pork marinated in garlic ginger soy sauce, stir fried and served over rice. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

BRUNING'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1922 West End Pkwy. 282-9395 Bruning's has been cooking up fresh local seafood on the Lakefront since 1859, so it's pretty darn good at it by now. Try the locally caught flounder a variety of ways: broiled or fried, stuffed with crabmeat or whole with head and tail intact. The Lake Pontchartrain softshell crabs are also popular, freshly caught and cooked to order. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE DOCK OF NEW ORLEANS 1926 West End Park 284-3625; www.thedockno.com Boiled seafood is prepared on the premises, literally right off the boat. There is a full nightlife schedule, but The Dock is also happy to cater to families with a kids menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

JAEGER'S ON THE LAKE 1928 West End Park 283-7585 Jaeger's is the perfect spot for huge trays of boiled seafood (served with all the boil requisites like sausage, corn and mushrooms.) The seafood -- with everything from catfish fillets to softshell crabs -- comes in full- and half-size platters. Reservations accepted. Lunch Saturday and Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

RUSSELL'S MARINA GRILL 8555 Pontchartrain Blvd. 282-9999/282-9980 Night owls love Russell's for its full late-night (and all-day) breakfast menu, which offers eggs, pancakes, waffles and other standards. Four kinds of wraps are a new menu item, and the house special fried onion mum is a consistent favorite. The Big Al's Bloody Mary goes down well any time of day or night. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

WEST END CAFE 8536 Pontchartrain Blvd. 288-0711 The hands-down favorite here is the crabmeat au gratin, a dip of crabmeat, cheese and cream sauce served as either an appetizer or an entree. Guests also enjoy the boiled seafood and daily salad specials. For breakfast, try the grillades with grits. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

WOLFE'S OF NEW ORLEANS 7224 Pontchartrain Blvd. 284-6004; www.wolfesofneworleans.com Chef Tom Wolfe continues to impress gourmets around the country with his contemporary New Orleans cuisine. The lobster medallions on a purple Peruvian potato galette and the Steen's cane syrup roast duck with foie gras and duck-crackling sweet potato mash are both popular. For the third year in a row, Wine Spectator honored Wolfe's wine list with an Award of Excellence. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$$

LAKEVIEW

BARATARIA 900 Harrison Ave. 488-7474 Barataria keeps Lakeview locals coming in for seafood specialties with a fun twist, like the Oysters Box 'Em, a sampling of five varieties of baked oysters. Also try unique combinations like the jerked beef tenderloin with Gulf shrimp, or the veal Crown Point, served with artichoke, tomato, lemon, scallions and parsley. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday. Credit cards. $$

THE BULLDOG 5135 Canal Blvd. 488-4191; www.draftfreak.com This congenial pub, famous for its staggering beer selection (50 on tap alone), has recently shifted its menu from traditional pub fare to a Tex-Mex flavored agenda. The famous burgers are still there; check out new appetizers such as the Tex-Mex egg rolls, filled with spicy chicken, corn, black beans, peppers, onions and cheese and served with spicy pineapple salsa. No reservations. Lunch Friday through Sunday, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CHARLIE'S DELI AND CATERERS 515 Harrison Ave. 486-1766 Lakeview residents know that a certain kind of midday hunger can only be assuaged by the Charlie sandwich, which heaps corned beef, pastrami and coleslaw on rye bread. The Moon sandwich is no slouch, with ham, roast beef, cheese and coleslaw all piled on a muffaletta bun. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Thursday and Friday. Checks. $

CHINA ROSE 125 Robert E. Lee Blvd. 283-3333 Busy Lakeview families depend on China Rose for scrumptious meals that can be eaten in or taken out. The extravagantly long menu may make it hard to decide on a meal, but the Lucky Shrimp, boiled with green onions, ginger and soy sauce, is a sure bet. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

COFFEE & COMPANY 800 Harrison Ave. 488-8946 You can count on finding lattes, cappuccinos, and teas to perk up your spirits. Mornings bring pastries and hot items like the breakfast wrap, while lunch offerings include daily specials such as brown rice with vegetables and a lentils dish. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

LA CUISINE 225 W. Harrison Ave. 486-7664 A seafood restaurant with Creole influence, La Cuisine's menu showcases a wide variety of ocean delicacies with some turf thrown in as well. For starters, try Joe's Hot Shrimp, a selection of jumbo butterflied shrimp with jalapeno and mozzarella wrapped in bacon. For the main course, a popular choice is the Trout Three Ways: three pieces of trout topped with amandine, meuniere and Pontchartrain sauces. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, breakfast Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $$

LAKEVIEW HARBOR 911 Harrison Ave. 486-4887 Lakeview Harbor serves lunch and dinner and then stays open late to provide the kind of grub night owls love. The menu features a wide variety of classic foods like steaks, pizza, burgers and seafood. They also serve daily specials to keep things interesting. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

THE STEAK KNIFE RESTAURANT & BAR 888 Harrison Ave. 488-8981; www.thesteakknife.com There is free live music every Friday and Saturday, but the menu is the main attraction, featuring steaks, seafood and a full complement of other meats. Start with escargot stuffed in mushroom caps and served in garlic butter laced with white wine and brandy, then move on to entrees such as the teriyaki-marinated double-cut lamb chops in a demi-glace served with celery-garlic mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TONY ANGELLO'S RISTORANTE 6262 Fleur de Lis Drive 488-0888 A neighborhood restaurant with an upscale ambience, this New Orleans tradition presents classic Italian cuisine with the mantra that no one should go home hungry. Perhaps the best way to discover the tastes available is the 'feed-me' menu in which the Chef Tony Angello brings out several courses of his favorites of the night. Eggplant Tina is thinly sliced eggplant that's lightly battered and fried, then layered with cheese and marinara sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

WEAVER'S PO-BOYS 800 Navarre Ave. 488-9267 This butcher-shop-turned-lunch-spot has attracted a following for its roast beef po-boy. Other popular sandwiches are the Papa Dee's: grilled chicken breast topped with grilled ham, cheese, grilled onions, bell peppers and smothered in barbecue sauce. The Weaver Club features hot roast beef and gravy, hot turkey, ham and cheese on French or white bread. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

AUSTIN'S RESTAURANT 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie 888-5533 Both the seating capacity and the menu have expanded at Austin's this fall. A tempting array of steaks, lobster and duck dishes is offered. The management recommends that newcomers try the redfish papillotte, a redfish wrapped in parsnip paper and baked with shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, and lobster butter sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

BABY BOOMERS BAR & GRILL 4617 Sanford St., Metairie 457-0065 Every day is Game Day at this locally owned Metairie sports bar, featuring four televisions, including a big-screen TV. The 10-oz. Boomer burger is the traditional favorite, grilled like you like it, with a side of fries. Thursday night is the special rib-eye steak night, with fries, for only $9. Live music is set for a Halloween celebration on Oct. 30. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

BAGEL FACTORY 3113 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 837-8707 This friendly bakery turns out hundreds of fresh, hot bagels daily, as well as other home-baked treats like challah, biscotti and other pastries. At lunch, try flavored cream cheese or tuna or chicken salad on your bagel, or turn it into a full-on deli sandwich. The Factory will move operations elsewhere in the neighborhood later this fall. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Monday through Friday, breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday. Checks. $

BAYOU CAFE 6401 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Four Points by Sheraton), Metairie 885-5700; www.fourpointsneworleans.com This hotel cafe offers visitors their first taste of New Orleans specialties with all the usual suspects, including gumbo, jambalaya and red beans and rice, as well as American standbys such as hefty burgers and Philly cheese steaks. Weekends also offer a hearty breakfast buffet. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

BEACH HOUSE 2401 N. Woodlawn Ave., Metairie 885-1407 Early evenings at the Beach House are a laidback, family-friendly treat, with tasty and affordable specials like the 16-oz. rib-eye for $10.95, served Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Later on, the tavern might get a little more raucous, but the kitchen still supplies salads, pasta, burgers and seafood for hungry karaoke singers. No reservations. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

CAFE LATTE 2324 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 833-6343 Lattes and espressos are the stars of the show here, but visitors can grab eats like the croissant club and the New Orleans-style roast beef po-boy wrap (low-carb for those watching their figures). No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and brunch daily. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

CAFE LAVANDE 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-0550 Get your caffeine buzz going with a wide variety of gourmet coffees and teas. Breakfast pastries make a great complement to a freshly brewed cappuccino, and lunch items including pressed panini sandwiches and hearty salads are a treat. Save room for desserts like the lavender creme brulee. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

CARMINE'S ITALIAN SEAFOOD AND GRILL 4101 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 455-7904 Seafood and Italian cuisine work together to please the palate at this lively restaurant. The generous appetizers include an artichoke stuffed with fried shrimp, oysters and fish and topped with a dill cream sauce, while entrees feature pasta dishes such as lasagna and crabmeat ravioli. Look for specials including steamed lobsters and steaks. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CASA GARCIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 8814 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 464-0354 The Garcia family's Mexican cuisine combines south Louisiana with south of the border in dishes that present local seafood with Mexican flavor. Seafood enchiladas stuff tortillas with generous portions of crabmeat and shrimp, while the house sampler offers an ensemble cast of tacos, tamales, enchiladas and flautas. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

CASABLANCA MOROCCAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT 3030 Severn Ave., Metairie 888-2209; www.kosherneworleans.com For a fine dose of Middle Eastern flavor, try this Metairie outpost of exotic North African flavors. Start off with harira, the traditional Moroccan herbed chickpea soup, and move on to the boneless chicken breast Marrakech, which is marinated in spices a full 24 hours. Time-tested favorites like hummus, falafel, shawarma and succulent roasted kebabs are also a treat. Reservations recommended. Lunch Sunday through Friday, dinner Saturday through Thursday. Credit cards. $$

COFFEE BEAN EUROPEAN CAFE 3244 Severn Ave., Metairie 456-9870 This cafe has sugar-free iced blended coffee drinks for those counting their carbs, as well as rich cappuccinos and espressos in the European tradition. The menu brings a selection of healthy salads, like the Cobb salad with avocado, red onion, hard-boiled egg and grilled chicken. There are also burgers, sandwiches and soups to make sure everyone's happy. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

COPELAND'S CHEESECAKE BISTRO 4517 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 454-7620; www.copelandscheesecakebistro.com This casual Al Copeland outpost puts a twist on local favorites with appetizers such as French-fried eggplant and Cajun egg rolls stuffed with crawfish and tasso. The signature barbecue shrimp linguine tosses the pasta and shrimp with lemon butter and serves them in a pizza bowl. And the cheesecake needs no introduction. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CORKY'S BAR-B-Q 4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-5000; www.corkysribs.com For those who swear that barbecue began in Memphis, Corky's is the place to be. Pork ribs can be ordered spicy and dry or wet and slathered with slightly sweet barbecue sauce, and should be accompanied by coleslaw, baked beans and buttered rolls. A particularly enticing new starter is barbecue pork nachos. There are also hamburgers, chicken and seafood dishes to please other palates. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

COUSIN'S PO-BOYS 3808 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 780-7804 Cousin's branches out beyond seafood po-boys with varieties including the veal Sicilian, where a veal cutlet is paired with provolone cheese and red gravy and nestled in a crispy length of French bread. Other favorites include the Meatball Supreme and the Pastrami Supreme, made with grilled pastrami and provolone. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $

CRAZY JOHNNIE'S STEAKHOUSE 3520 18th St., Metairie 887-6641; www.crazyjohnnies.com This boisterous steakhouse lends itself to parties and festive evenings. Start with the mushroom caps stuffed with crabmeat and Parmesan dressing, or try the jumbo barbecue shrimp in a spicy sauce. But the spotlight stays on the steak menu, where tender filets are served with Crazy potatoes flavored with garlic and spices. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DEANGELO'S 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 833-7331; www.deangelosmetairie.com Calzones get kicked up a notch at Deangelo's, where gourmet offerings include the Venetian calzone with sauteed Gulf shrimp, artichokes, portobello mushrooms, seasoned ricotta and mozzarella all baked in homemade dough and topped with Roma tomatoes. Be sure to check out their express lunch menu, which offers small portions. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

DON'S SEAFOOD HUT 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 889-1550 The Landry family has been serving fresh Cajun cuisine since 1934, and they've got it down to an art. There's an extensive seafood menu to choose from, with specialties including crabmeat au gratin and a spicy trout fillet that's battered, fried and topped with shrimp and crab etouffee. A variety of heart-healthy options ensure that there's something for everyone. Don't forget that it's oyster season, and there are special prices. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

DORIGNAC'S 710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 834-8216 More than just a grocery store, this old-school, family-owned business keeps customers happy with a breakfast-and-lunch counter offering such down-home favorites as a breakfast combo with Creole sausage, bacon, grits, hash browns and eggs. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

DRAGO'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AND OYSTER BAR 3232 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie 888-9254; www.dragosrestaurant.com Others have long tried to emulate Drago's charbroiled oysters. Patriarch Drago Cvitanovich still makes sure that the oysters are prepared with great attention as are the lobster, shrimp and other seafood. A creative appetizer gaining popularity are duck fingers, which are strips of duck that are breaded, fried and served with a sesame sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

FROSTY'S CAFFE 3400 Cleary Ave., Metairie 888-9600 The namesake beverage here is the bubble tea, a Vietnamese concoction with floating pearls of tapioca and 80 flavors to choose from. Not to be missed is the jasmine green tea with jellied lychee or the avocado shake. For more solid fare, the spring rolls are quite delectable. An assortment of vegetarian soups and dishes are available as well. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FURY'S 724 Martin Behrman Ave., Metairie 834-5646 Fury's has enjoyed longevity in a town filled with local restaurants, and many attribute this to the fried chicken prepared to order. Though Fury's is considered a neighborhood place, even regulars must jockey for a table at lunch time to savor the speckled trout. No one wants to leave before having a serving of rich bread pudding with rum sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GIOVANNI'S PO-BOYS 1325 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 835-4558 Giovanni's brings po-boys to the hungry lunch crowds in Metairie, keeping the menu simple with a choice of shrimp, oyster, catfish or meatball po-boy on crusty French bread. Not to be forgotten is the hefty muffaletta, loaded with meat and cheese and topped with the zesty olive salad. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Checks. $

GOLDEN DRAGON 4417 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-6081 From the team that brought you China Orchid in Uptown comes this Metairie sister restaurant, where regional Chinese cooking from the Mandarin, Hunan and Szechuan provinces are on the menu. Start with a crispy spring roll or the crab Rangoon, then move on to the sesame chicken, which is marinated with sesame seeds, fried and sauteed with a sweet bronze sauce. Reservations for large parties only. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

GOODY'S CAFE 3516 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-3848 Goody's is not open 24 hours anymore, but it still makes sure no one goes home hungry whether it's serving up a hearty breakfast or a juicy burger. Hot lunches on weekdays are a bargain at $5.99 with a choice of white beans and pork chops, meatloaf or chicken fried steak with gravy. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

HOBNOBBER'S CAFE 5928 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie 734-8448 The family that runs the venerable CBD Hobnobber's location brings its New Orleans home cooking to Metairie. Classics like paneed chicken with fettuccine, grilled chicken with grilled broccoli and tomatoes, and crabcakes with creamy crawfish sauce are on the menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

JOHNNY & JOSIE'S RESTAURANT 4445 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-7888 This family dining spot has a brand new buffet in addition to its extensive menu that includes everything from seafood platters to homemade country favorites like fried chicken. The owner's special po-boy comes with hollowed-out French bread filled with spicy shrimp jambalaya and boudin that's breaded and deep-fried. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Friday and Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

KANNO SUSHI 3205 Edenborn Ave., Metairie 455-5730 Spice is nice at Kanno Sushi and if you're the type that enjoys that little kick in the pants with your Asian delicacies, then it's probably the place for you. Popular rolls include the Protein roll, a blend of spicy tuna and snow crab with tuna, whitefish and salmon over the top. More adventurous guests should give the 911 roll a shot; it's got spicy veggies and snow crab in the middle and Cajun tuna over the top. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

KING BUFFET 601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 837-4383 You get a lot of bang for your buck at King Buffet, which offers a salad bar, sushi rolls and hand rolls, American food like chicken and cheese sticks, Chinese food like Mongolian beef and sesame chicken, and seafood like fried fish and hot and spicy shrimp as well as a dessert bar. If a buffet's not your thing, there are also menu items to choose from. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KOSHER CAJUN NEW YORK DELI & GROCERY 3519 Severn St., Metairie 888-2010; www.koshercajun.com Displaced Yankees aren't the only ones who feel at home in this deli, which recently enlarged its dining room to accommodate the crowds. The J&N signature sandwich is a deli favorite, with hot corned beef and pastrami on rye bread, dressed with mustard, horseradish and coleslaw and served with a juicy pickle. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday and Sunday, dinner Monday through Thursday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $

LAURENTINO'S RESTAURANT 4410 Transcontinental Drive., Metairie 779-9393; www.laurentinos.com Owner Xavier Laurentino describes his Western Mediterranean menu as 'Spanish from Spain' so nobody confuses it with Mexican food. With a recent menu update, Laurentino's intends to make tapas the main focus of the menu with rotating selections of the small Spanish snack each month. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

LITTLE TOKYO RESTAURANT 1521 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 831-6788 While some Asian restaurants try to blend the many flavors of the Far East into their menu, it's all Japanese food at Little Tokyo, from the crunchy roll sushi to the tempura beef teriyaki and everything in between. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night on weekends. Credit cards and checks. $$

LOGAN FARMS 3770 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 456-7311; www.metairie.loganfarms.com Best known for its honey-glazed ham and turkey and gourmet meats such as Texas-smoked brisket and Cajun-fried turkey, Logan Farms also offers a full buffet with soups, entrees and side dishes as well as po-boys and a changing list of nine entrees and nine fresh cooked vegetable choices every day. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

MCALISTER'S DELI 2701 Airline Drive, Metairie 830-4030; www.mcalistersdeli.com You can find just about any type of sandwich you could ever want at McAlister's chain of restaurants. They have a huge menu that features more than 27 different sandwiches along with salads and potatoes, the most popular being the Spud Max, a 2-lb. beast topped with turkey, ham, cheddar and Swiss cheese, black olives and onions. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MELIUS BAR & CAFE 1701 Lake Ave., Metairie 828-9446 Everything is real down home and comfortable at Melius, including the menu. Around 6 a.m., delicious omelettes and other breakfast fare comes out of the kitchen. By lunch and dinner, the cuisine turns to plates like burgers, appetizers and cheese sticks. For a house specialty, try Melius fries, a plate of French fried spuds smothered in Swiss cheese with brown gravy poured over the top. No reservations. Breakfast Monday through Friday, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MIYAKO JAPANESE SUSHI BAR & HIBACHI 3837 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 779-6475 All the standard sushi rolls and Japanese foods make an appearance on Miyako's menu. The sushi bar churns out crunchy rolls and California rolls along with fresh sashimi and nigiri. There is also a hibachi to make things a little more interesting. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MULLIGAN'S TAVERNE 3535 Severn Ave., Suite 10, Metairie 888-5858 The sports bar turns into a different kind of place for spectator sports on Friday nights, where karaoke allows customers to sing for, or after, their supper. The 1/3-lb. burgers get people in the right mood to sing. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

PUCCINO'S 17th Street and Severn Avenue, Metairie 835-3151 This 24-hour Italian coffee shop has two new locations opening soon in Metairie and Uptown. That opens up the joys of Puccino's signature meatball sandwiches to a whole new group of night owls. Day or night, try the chicken Campanola panini: grilled chicken pressed in focaccia bread with lettuce, peppers and pesto mayonnaise. Reservations available for special events. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

QUARTER VIEW 613 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie 887-3456 Daily lunch specials draw fans of fried seafood to the Quarter View, although there are also plenty of salads and steaks to round out the menu. Try the crabmeat-stuffed boneless trout fillet, deep-fried and served in a Cajun crawfish cream sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

RADOSTA'S 249 Aris Ave., Metairie 831-1537 With more than 40 po-boys to select from, it's going to take more than one visit to sample what this popular lunch spot has to offer. Try the Don Special: grilled homemade Italian sausage with olive salad and melted provolone. Ambitious appetites can take on the Grand Slam: a 12-oz. rib-eye po-boy with melted provolone and mushrooms, onions and garlic in a white wine sauce. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Friday. Credit cards. $

RESTAURANT CYPRESS 4426 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie 885-6885 Metairie regulars enjoy a fresh and fun take on Creole cuisine, with specialties like the steamed lobster served with crab cakes in a fresh asparagus bouillabaisse reduction. Also popular is the duck egg roll appetizer; confit of duck wrapped, fried and served with sesame-marinated cucumbers in a spicy apricot glaze. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thursday and Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

RISTORANTE LA RIVIERA 4506 Shores Drive, Metairie 888-6238; www.larivierarestaurant.com Chef Aldo Marcone has a selection of new seafood dishes up his sleeve this season, but regular fans of his classic Italian cooking will be pleased to see their favorites remain. The seafood risotto is a specialty, as is the Original Crabmeat Ravioli -- housemade fresh pasta stuffed with jumbo lump crabmeat and topped with a delicate white sauce and Parmesan cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

RUSSELL'S SHORT STOP PO-BOYS 119 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie 885-4572 This longtime favorite is famous and dependable for classic Southern food, with a focus on po-boys. Gumbo and jambalaya go over well, as do specialties like the roast beef or meatball po-boy. All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

SHOOTERS BAR & GRILL 3655 Division St., Metairie 456-2618 What better way to enjoy a sporting event on this bar's 9-foot screen or it's half-dozen 25-inch TVs than with a bloody Mary or Long Island iced tea? Regulars will tell you it's with an 8-oz. Shooter Burger cooked on a grill, dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a pickle on the side and served with French fries. For a liquid dessert, try the cherry cheesecake martini. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

SIDELINES BAR & GRILL 1229 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 831-4002 Sports enthusiasts can sate their hunger for food as well as televised games at this restaurant, which offers steak night every Thursday featuring an 8-oz. filet mignon served with Cajun creamed potatoes and French bread for $10. Another customer favorite is the sandwich that stacks 8 ounces of grilled tuna dressed with a housemade lemon-and-pepper cream sauce on a sesame seed bun. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

SPORTS CENTER BAR & GRILL 3805 Hessmer Ave., Metairie 455-2231 Watch the games or the highlights at this bar and grill while sampling the crawfish poppers: provolone stuffed with crawfish dressing, deep fried and served with horseradish sauce. The rib-eye steak is grilled to your liking and also served with horseradish sauce. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

SPUDLY'S SUPER SPUDS 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie 455-SPUD (7783); www.spudly.com A perfect place for staving off your own personal potato famine, Spudly's presents meals in a baked potato, including the Super Duper, which combines shrimp, crab and crawfish in a baked potato topped with cheddar cheese and chives. Burgers, soups and salads also are on the menu, and for those yearning for pizza there is the Pizza Spud, a combination of spiced pepperoni, Mozzarella cheese, chives and Italian sauce in a baked potato. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

STITCHES BAR & GRILL 3941 Houma Blvd., Metairie 454-6266 Burgers are the big sellers at this regular gathering place for doctors and staff members from a nearby hospital. The menu reflects a sense of humor with offerings such as the Triple Bypass Burger: a 3/4-lb. patty with double cheese, bacon and a hot sausage patty, dressed of course, and accompanied by French fries. You may need to be resuscitated if you drink too many CPRs, a specialty drink made with vodka, peach schnapps and healthful cranberry juice. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

SUPER POPEYES 3850 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 885-0356 Fried chicken remains king at this beloved New Orleans restaurant, but the Super Popeyes location also has other offerings, such as fajitas (chicken, beef or a combination of both) with shredded lettuce, baked onions and peppers, sour cream and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla. Housemade Southern-style cheesecake is served plain or with sliced strawberries or chocolate sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

SWAMP ROOM 5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-5242 Black bean quesadilla rolls, cheese fries and other bar foods are the mainstays for those who want to quench hunger as well as thirst at this bar. Bigger appetites go for the 10-oz. Swamp Burger with all the trimmings, or an 8-oz. tuna steak served as a sandwich or on a salad. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

TAJ MAHAL INDIAN CUISINE 923-C Metairie Road., Metairie 836-6859 Meats and vegetables alike are treated royally at Taj Mahal. Non meat-eaters can choose the Navrattan Korma, which presents assorted vegetables, paneer and housemade cheese in creamy onion gravy. The Mehahi Murgh is a chicken breast stuffed with housemade cheese, fresh herbs and spices, topped with tomato cream sauce and served on a platter with rice, condiments and the vegetable of the day. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

TIC TOC CAFE 3205 36th St., Metairie 834-6272 You can't help but feel at home at a restaurant you can visit anytime day or night and where customers are invited to bring their own coffee mugs from home and hang them on the wall so they're always waiting. Daily specials remain the same each week and include Wednesday's barbecue beef pot roast served with potatoes, a vegetable and salad. Every day features a hamburger special with French fries and a drink for under $4. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

BANGKOK CUISINE 4137 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-3606 As this is a neighborhood restaurant guide, let's not mistake this Mid-City favorite, located next to Rock 'n' Bowl, with the equally popular Thai restaurant, Bangkok Thai, in Carrollton near Riverbend. Bangkok Cuisine is great for standbys like pad Thai and Southern-Thai influenced spicy curries. Be sure and sample the specials as well, though, like the sauteed scallops and shrimp in chili sauce over glass noodles. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Delivery available. Credit cards. $

BEACHCORNER BAR & GRILL 4905 Canal St. 488-7357 Customize the 10-oz. Beachburger to your liking (try adding sauteed mushrooms and cheddar or blue cheese). Or grab the Buffalo chicken tenders on a sandwich or on a salad, with the Beachcorner's new homemade blue cheese dressing. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

BETSY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 2542 Canal St. 822-0213 This locals' favorite is always dependable for startlingly inexpensive breakfast specials -- we're talking under $4 -- to start the day or end a (very) late night. Eggs, grits, biscuits, toast, ham, sausage, bacon and pancakes are full of homestyle goodness. Don't miss specialties like the corned beef hash, and make sure to stop by for lunch, which always includes iced tea, salad and dessert. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

BREWHOUSE GRILL 201 N. Carrollton Ave. 484-0525 Seasonal beers, like this fall's Lagniappe Pilsner, are brewed on the premises and change frequently enough to ensure a constant pleasant surprise. Hops-partial locals also come for ballgames on the many big-screen TV's as well as dishes like the charbroiled oysters, pulled pork nachos, steaks and burgers. During happy hour on weekdays, oysters go for 25 cents a pop at the raw bar. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CHATEAUBRIAND STEAKHOUSE 310 N. Carrollton Ave. 207-0016; www.chateaubriandsteakhouse.com Run by husband-and-wife/chef-and-sommelier team Gerard and Eveline Crozier, this French-flavored steakhouse marries robust American tradition with Gallic elegance. The dish to sample, of course, is the chateaubriand for two: a 20-oz. grilled filet in maitre d' hotel butter, carved tableside and served with a vegetable bouquetiere and gratin dauphinois. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

CHRISTIAN'S RESTAURANT 3835 Iberville St. 482-4924; www.christiansrestaurant-neworleans.com Christian's was named after its owner, Christian Ansel, but the name took on a double meaning when the restaurant moved to an old Lutheran church in 1977. Christian's serves up a mix of New Orleans Creole and classic French cuisine, with standouts that include oysters en brochette and grilled duck salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

CITY PERK 637 N. Carrollton Ave. 482-4847 Folks from the surrounding neighborhood love to sit down in this charming coffee shop's front patio and read, hang out or use the wireless Internet service while they sip their cup of joe. For breakfast there are toasty bagels and pastries, including vegan cinnamon rolls. For lunch there are warm La Spiga sandwiches, such as the Count Basil, which is smoked turkey, fontina cheese, Dijon pesto spread and roasted sweet red peppers on rustic ciabatta. Be sure to check out the specialty coffee drinks and French and Italian fruit drinks. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CRESCENT CITY STEAKHOUSE 1001 N. Broad St. 821-3271 For serious, belly-filling steaks in an old New Orleans atmosphere, slip into a booth at this steakhouse. The prime cut filet comes wrapped in a thin slice of bacon and drizzled with butter and bordelaise sauce, and the porterhouse, rib-eye and T-bone steaks won't let you leave hungry. On-the-side spinach au gratin or lyonaisse potatoes provide the only vegetables you need. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

FELLINI'S 900 Carrollton Ave. 488-2155 Fellini's listens to the needs of its customers, and in keeping with current food trends offers diners a variety of low-carb plates. Mixed green salads are offered with lamb, shrimp and chicken. Vegetarian dishes abound with ingredients such as hummus, portobello mushrooms and lavash bread. Related to Angeli's on Decatur, Fellini's has gourmet pizzas and hearty portions of pasta for a little diversity. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

GIGI ASIAN BISTRO 4415 Banks St. 483-7884; www.gigiasianbistro.com This newcomer to Mid-City provides a variety of dishes from the Philippines and Thailand. Popular starters are the boneless chicken wings and the calamari that is flavored with lemongrass. Owner Abegail Abreu suggests trying the pansit as an entree, which is a traditional dish of the Philippines that combines stir-fried noodles and vegetables. For dessert try the flan. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $

JUAN'S FLYING BURRITO 4724 S. Carrollton Ave. 486-9950; www.juansflyingburrito.com This second location of New Orleans' favorite burrito joint is a little quieter and brighter, but the food is just the same good ol' funky Latin flavor as the original. The namesake Flying Burrito is stuffed with steak, chicken and shrimp and then stuffed some more with beans, cheese, guacamole, rice, sour cream and salsa. Wash it down with a premium margarita. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KANPAI 4116 Canal St. 483-0880 Kanpai features more than 80 items on its buffet lines including a variety of sushi and hot Japanese items. Among the sushi offered are rainbow rolls, celebrity rolls and softshell crab rolls. Hot items include tempura, dumplings, grilled whole fish and salmon and yellowtail dishes. There is also a salad bar and a dessert bar as well as an a la cart menu. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

KATIE'S 3701 Iberville St. 488-6582 Italian dishes and traditional New Orleans cuisine go hand in hand on Katie's menu, where a variety of gumbos and po-boys mingle with dishes like chicken marsala and veal Parmesan. The place also has several nightly specials, including two-for-one Italian entrees on Thursdays nights. Then on Saturdays, the white linen goes on the tables and live music takes the environment to a new level. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

LIUZZA'S RESTAURANT & BAR INC. 3636 Bienville St. 482-9120 Italian food is the specialty, but Liuzza's is in no way limited to it. The casual neighborhood restaurant that has been around since 1947 also serves seafood, salads and even fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce. It also features a twist on the muffaletta on the menu called the Frenchalatta; it's basically The New Orleans standard on French bread. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MANDINA'S 3800 Canal St. 482-9179 'A Mid-City Tradition' is how Mandina's bills itself and if you've ever had a Sunday dinner there you know why. It's a classic neighborhood spot through and through. Families gather at crowded tables and munch on dishes like stuffed shrimp, catfish, and spaghetti with meatballs while a crowd of regulars gathers around the bar area and share each other's gift of gab. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $$

MANUEL'S HOT TAMALES 4709 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-6616 You place your order from a small window in Manuel's kitchen and the dining room consists of a few picnic tables outside, so takeout is a good idea on rainy days. Tamales, enchiladas and tacos make up the bulk of the menu. The tamales are billed as being about quality not quantity, and the orders come in three different sizes for value. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MICHAEL'S MID-CITY GRILL 4139 Canal St. 486-8200 It's all about American food at Michael's Mid-City Grill. Though it started as primarily a burger place, Michael's has expanded its menu to include steaks, ribs, seafood, po-boys, huge salads and the strangely popular chicken tenders. After the often-busy lunches, Michael's also serves an after-work crowd of professionals. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MID CITY LANES ROCK 'N' BOWL 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-3133; www.rocknbowl.com This legendary New Orleans institution is a date-night triple threat: Bowl a game, dance with your honey to a live band, and grab eats like the crawfish quesadilla or a 'Super Bowl' of gumbo. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Thursday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MID-CITY DELI & CATERING 4107 S. Carrollton Ave. 486-8889 Mid-City Deli boasts a huge menu, good food and cheap prices. Ith as have a little Italian food, a little New Orleans food, a little Greek food, some seafood, some sandwiches -- basically anything someone would want in a deli. The seafood platter features oysters, shrimp and catfish and comes in at under $9. There are also a few daily specials that only change once in a blue moon. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

NEW YORK PIZZA 208 N. Carrollton Ave. 482-2376 New York Pizza bakes a pie with a thin crust and a zesty sauce. Specialty pizzas, such as the Queens with olive oil, fresh spinach, mozzarella, mushroom, artichokes and feta cheese, pay homage to the boroughs of the Big Apple. The Snooie bread appetizer, an Italian bun with melted Swiss, mozzarella, oregano and fresh tomatoes, is also popular. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

RALPH'S ON THE PARK 900 City Park Ave. 488-1000; www.ralphsonthepark.com Chef Gerard Maras serves up contemporary cuisine in a historic location. This building, built in 1860, is now home to innovative Louisiana French cuisine that tempts the palate with offerings like the duckling Bigarade, which is slow roasted and served in a 'bitter orange' sauce with brown and basmati rice, raisins, pine nuts and baby turnips. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, breakfast and dinner Saturday, brunch and dinner Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 711 N. Broad St. 486-0810; www.ruthschris.com Be prepared for fantastic steaks. The filet is the most tender cut of corn-fed Midwestern beef broiled to order. If you're not in the mood for red meat, there's always the barbecue shrimp, sauteed New Orleans style in reduced white wine, butter, garlic and spices. Reservations required. Lunch Monday through Friday and Sunday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

TWO SISTER'S KITCHEN 223 N. Derbigny St. 524-0056 Loyal patrons fill Two Sister's every Friday for the heaping bowls of seafood gumbo. Other daily specials include spaghetti on Tuesday, chitterlings on Wednesday and stuffed peppers and barbecue chicken on Thursday. In the mornings, $5 will buy a full breakfast of eggs, meat, grits, coffee and toast. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

VENEZIA 134 N. Carrollton Ave. 488-7991 Diners feel like family when they tuck into the classic Italian dishes at Venezia, which has recently expanded to Jefferson. Enjoy large plates of trout amandine or eggplant Vatican, a hollowed-out, batter-fried eggplant stuffed with seafood cream sauce. The New York-style pizza is also popular. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday at Jefferson location, lunch and dinner daily at Mid-City location. Credit cards. $$

ABITA BAR-B-QUE 69399 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs (985) 892-0205 A craving for this Northshore standby's housemade barbecue sauce can be satisfied by the quarts available to take home, although many prefer to stay and indulge in the spicy smoky flavor on-site. Down-home barbecue flavor shines in generous combination platters that include pork ribs, boudin sausage and pork steaks. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

ABITA BREW PUB 72011 Holly St., Abita Springs (985) 892-5837; www.abita.com Abita's famous brews shine here, both on tap and integrated into local favorite dishes like the double-cut pork chops in Abita root beer glaze or crab claws sauteed in Abita Amber. Other specialties include the pecan-crusted catfish and smoky baby back ribs. Reservations accepted for parties of four or more. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

BACK PORCH GRILL 414 N. New Hampshire St., Covington (985) 892-5252 This relaxed lunch spot combines Creole and Italian flavors in a friendly, homey atmosphere that's often busy but never stressful. Customers pressed for time can even fax in their orders for pickup, or you can relax in-house and enjoy speedily prepared soups, salads and daily lunch specials like the popular Creole stewed chicken, served over white or brown rice. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

BEAR'S RESTAURANT 128 W. 21st Ave., Covington (985) 892-2373 A po-boy lunch at Bear's will leave you feeling sated and ready to hibernate. Roast beef po-boys dressed to order with gravy or barbecue sauce are the specialty, though Bear's also has a way with fried shrimp, catfish and oysters, to name a few options. No reservations. Lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Checks. $

BENEDICT'S RESTAURANT PLANATION 1144 Lovers Lane, Mandeville (985) 626-4557; www.neworleansrestaurants.com, benedictsplantation.com The restaurant may not be as historic as the plantation (the current home was built in 1882, and dates as far back as 1838), but it has been keeping Northshore residents well-fed with Creole dishes since 1991. Sample the pecan-smoked prime rib, with sides including a Creole stuffed potato, or try the crab meat au gratin: Creole cream cheese with lump crab meat. Reservations accepted. Catering available. Dinner Wednesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

BROKEN EGG CAFE 200 Gerard St., Mandeville (985) 624-3388 Famous for gourmet breakfasts, this sunny Northshore spot is also a place for great contemporary American lunch offerings like the smothered chicken or spinach salad with fresh Louisiana strawberries and hot bacon dressing. Morning visitors can still enjoy a variety of signature omelettes, stuffed French toast and other goodies. Reservations accepted Tuesday through Friday. Breakfast, brunch and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

CARRETA'S GRILL 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville (985) 727-7212 For casual Mexican dining on either side of the lake, swing by Carreta's, where the spicy food goes great with a cool margarita. Start with stuffed jalapeno peppers or crawfish nachos, then look to the grill for a red snapper fillet. The Carreta Platter is a sampler with a beef taco, a beef enchilada, a burrito and guacamole. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

COLUMBIA STREET NATURAL FOODS 415 N. Columbia St., Covington (985) 893-0355 This neighborhood grocery stocks fresh, local produce and seafood and carries a wide range of healthy and organic foods. Those who get hungry while they shop swing by the deli counter for an herb-roasted turkey wrap or nicoise salad. Popular take-out items are fresh Italian meatballs and kebabs. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

COLUMBIA ST. TAPROOM & GRILL (985) 898-0899 The Northshore jumps with this bar and grill that serves up almost as much live music as food, with salads, burgers, po-boys, wraps, specialty sandwiches and hot-plate offerings. Ask about the daily specials, as well as the musical acts performing Thursday through Saturday nights. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

DAKOTA RESTAURANT 629 N. Hwy. 190, Covington (985) 892-3712; www.thedakotarestaurant.com Chef Kim Kringlie fuses the flavors of the wide world with local produce and seafood at this Northshore sister restaurant to the Restaurant Cuvee. The results are appetizers like lump crabmeat and Brie soup and lamb nachos with Roquefort cheese, tomato chutney and sweet potato chips. A popular entree is the panko-encrusted fillet of tilapia topped with lump crabmeat and mushrooms in a lemon-butter sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

DEANGELO'S 318 Dalwill St., Mandeville (985) 624-8500; www.deangelosmetairie.com Calzones get kicked up a notch at Deangelo's, where gourmet offerings include the Venetian calzone with sauteed Gulf shrimp, artichokes, portobello mushrooms, seasoned ricotta and mozzarella all baked in homemade dough and topped with Roma tomatoes. Be sure to check out their express lunch menu, which offers small portions. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THE DOCK OF SLIDELL 118 Harbor View Court, Slidell (985) 645-3625; www.thedockslidell.com This combination bar/restaurant/marina offers a variety of grilled fish, such as tilapia, salmon and redfish. The Dock Burger is another popular entree. You can enjoy your meal in either an outdoor or indoor seating area, and there's live music on Saturday and Sunday. Children under 12 eat for free. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

ETOILE 407 N. Columbia St., Covington (985) 892-4578 This Northshore bistro showcases the culinary creations of Chef Tony Savage. One popular dish is mussels with spicy dill in a white wine cream broth served with sweet potato French fries. A sweet ending to an elaborate meal is the apple tart with almond creme. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

FRIENDS ON THE TCHEFUNCTE 407 St. Tammany St., Madisonville (985) 845-7303 Friends provides a soothing vista for diners to enjoy, with a patio overlooking the peaceful meanderings of the Tchefuncte River. For two classic New Orleans dishes in one get the fried green tomatoes layered with shrimp remoulade. The seafood Mornay is a house specialty, with crabmeat, shrimp and crawfish sauteed in a light cream sauce, tossed with bowtie pasta and topped with mozzarella cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $$

GEORGE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville (985) 626-4342 Run by George Espinal and his congenial family, this Northshore Mexican favorite keeps its customers happy with spicy steak and chicken fajitas, George's famous nachos loaded with cheese and jalapenos, and carne al la Parrila, where steak strips are marinated in a special sauce. But truth be told, some patrons come by just to sample the margaritas, made with a variety of exciting top-shelf tequilas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

HERO'S ALL-AMERICAN GRILL 4700 Hwy. 22, Mandeville (985) 845-1000; www.herosmenu.com It's hard to get more American than a hearty beef burger named for John Wayne. The Duke starts with an 8-oz. beef patty, slathers it in barbecue sauce and serves it fully dressed on a sesame seed bun. Pair it with a choice of Zapp's potato chips, French fries or coleslaw. There also is a popular chicken club or a host of other specialty sandwiches and salads. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

HUGH'S WINE CELLAR 4250 Hwy. 22, Mandeville (985) 626-0066; www.hughswinecellar.com It's easy to figure out the specialty at Hugh's, and to accompany all that wine are deli and gourmet-to-go options. The signature Northshore Reuben with corned beef, pickled red cabbage, big-eye Swiss and mustard is a great example of the deli offerings. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

JUDICE'S 421 E. Gibson St., Covington (985) 892-0708 Judice's large menu includes pastas, seafood and salads while also leaving room for local favorites like po-boys. Popular dishes include the Sauteed Fish Olivia, a sauteed seasonal fish topped with shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish in an artichoke, mushroom and tomato sauce. Among Judice's more healthy menu choices are the restaurant's huge salads with homemade dressings. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Thursday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$

LA CARRETA 108 N.W. Railroad Ave., Hammond (985) 419-9990; www.carretarestaurant.com An authentic Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Hammond, La Carreta's menu offers such genuine south-of-the-border dishes as chile rellenos, flautas and brochetas. Of course, all of these can be enjoyed with one of the restaurants signature margaritas. There are even a few vegetarian dishes on the menu. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MANDE'S RESTURANT 340 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville (985) 626-9047 Breakfast is served right through lunch at Mande's where the casual atmosphere and service is rivaled only by the comfort of the food served. The lunch menu boasts crawfish etouffee and fried seafood dishes while the breakfast menu features some of Mande's more popular items such as the Cajun Benedict, a crawfish patty on top of an English muffin with a poached egg and hollandaise over the top. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

MIDDENDORF'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Hwy.51 North (exit 15 off I-55 North), Manchac (985) 386-6666 There is a little more surf than turf on the menu at Middendorf's, but there is certainly a little something for everyone. Seafood lovers will be most in luck with just about all types of ocean delicacies available, including flounder, softshell crab, shrimp, oysters and the house specialty: fried catfish cut extra thin for tenderness. Soups on the menu include oyster stew and seafood gumbo. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MORTON'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & BAR 702 Water St., Madisonville (985) 845-4970; www.mortonsseafood.com This nearly 20-year-old institution lays alongside the Tchefuncte River and specializes in fresh seafood. Half-shell oysters with homemade sauces are half price on Mondays and Thursdays, and the Seafood Boat -- a hollowed-out loaf of bread stuffed with fried shrimp, oysters or catfish fillets -- is highly recommended by the restaurant. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards and checks. $$

NUVOLARI'S 246 Gerard St., Mandeville (985) 626-5619; www.nuvolaris.com For two decades, Northshore residents have flocked to Nuvolari's elegant dining rooms to sample fine Italian dishes, such as veal Parmesan Florentine with marinara, fresh spinach, provolone and Romano. The linguine frutti di mare, with shrimps, clams, mussels and calamari tossed with mushrooms and a sherry cream sauce, is also a favorite with the regulars. Reservations recommended for parties of four or more. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PAUL'S CAFE 100 E. Pine St., Ponchatoula (985) 386-9581 Come for breakfast for a heap of eggs, biscuits and grits. Stay for a lunch of over-stuffed shrimp po-boys with homemade onion rings, or the New Orleans classic red beans and rice. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. $

TIMES BAR & GRILL 1827 Front St., Slidell (985) 639-3335; 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville (985) 626-1161; www.timesgrill.com A family-friendly restaurant with a menu that accommodates all types of tastes with salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, steaks and pasta, this restaurant guarantees it serves the biggest burger around with the colossal Hulk Burger: a 1 1/2-lb. char-grilled hamburger dressed any way you can handle it. If you eat it all, you get your photo on the Hulk Wall of Fame. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

TREY YUEN CUISINE OF CHINA 600 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville (985) 626-4476; 2100 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond (985) 345-6789 East meets South at Trey Yuen, where traditional Chinese dishes are prepared with local Louisiana ingredients. Try the honey-pecan shrimp: large Gulf shrimp glazed with a creamy coating and served on honey-roasted pecans. Also try the stir-fried alligator with mushrooms and onions in oyster sauce. Voted best Northshore restaurant by Gambit readers in 2004. Reservations recommended for parties of eight or more. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

VIANNE'S TEA SALON AND CAFE 544 Gerard St., Mandeville (985) 624-5683; www.viannes.com The Queen of England would feel at home at Vianne's, where royal tea is served with tea sandwiches, scones, savories, dessert and a selection of 50 teas. Guests can find a less elaborate repast on the cafe menu, which offers fresh baked scones, crumpets, farmers market salads and soups. Vianne's hosts a monthly salon lecture and seasonal dinner events. Reservations recommended. Cafe menu, high, royal and court teas Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., brunch Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $

27 HUNDRED ASIAN CAFE & BAR 2700 Metairie Road, Metairie 833-6108 This pan-Asian restaurant brings an eclectic menu to the table, with house favorites including the Asian crispy sesame chicken, which is stir-fried with veggies, and the Chinese sea bass. Reservations for parties of eight or more. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, dinner Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

BARRECA'S 3100 Metairie Road, Metairie 831-4546 Barreca's fits into that special New Orleans version of Italian fare, where Creole flavors creep in but there's plenty of pasta and veal Parmesan to go around. The crab cakes with spicy horseradish sauce and roast duck with Cajun rice are two house favorites. For a great deal, come in Sunday when the early bird special runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday and Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

BLUE MOON TAVERN 115 Focis St., Metairie 831-6725 Night owls frequent the Blue Moon as much for solid bar food as for the Friday night Beatles cover band and Saturday karaoke, if not more so. The Blue Moon burger comes with bacon, cheddar and honey hickory barbecue sauce, and late-night breakfast is served from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

COFFEE COTTAGE 2559 Metairie Road, Metairie 833-3513; www.coffeecottage.com The Coffee Cottage can be a useful stop in a busy day, with hot and iced coffee drinks, pastries, and light and tasty meals. Among the gourmet salad menu is the pesto Caesar salad, which can be topped with salmon, chicken or crawfish. Vegetarians will enjoy the focaccia pizza with spinach, artichoke spread, mushrooms, tomatoes and both feta and Swiss cheese, and everyone digs into the white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast and lunch only at Metairie. Credit cards and checks. $

THE GALLEY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 2535 Metairie Road, Metairie 832-0955 Boiled seafood of all types is Triton at The Galley, which also offers po-boys, seafood platters, and a host of other dishes made from all things aquatic. The blackened fish (either redfish or grouper) is served in a crawfish sauce with sides of vegetables and new potatoes. Fried grouper shares a plate with hominy corn grits and vegetables. All dinners come with a house salad. Reservations accepted for five or more. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MARK TWAIN'S PIZZA LANDING 2035 Metairie Road, Metairie 832-8032 With a name like Mark Twain's Pizza Landing, one might expect a few cleverly named dishes on the menu. Take for example the veggie pizza named Huck Finn or the feta and spinach pizza named Mysterious Stranger. Not to be pigeon-holed as just another Mark Twain-themed pizza place, Twain's also features sandwiches and po-boys. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

SAMMY'S LIVE OAK MARKET & DELI 801 Live Oak St., Metairie 835-0916 Popular daily specials, like Friday's all-you-can-eat trout, are what Old Metairie regulars depend on at this friendly neighborhood deli. The hot, gravy-soaked roast beef po-boy is a popular standby, as are rotating daily specials. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

VAQUEROS 2037 Metairie Road, Metairie 837-7776; www.vaqueros-restaurant.com Vaqueros brings the tastes of Santa Fe to New Orleans. They serve a double cut pork chop stuffed with asadero cheese, spinach and roasted red peppers and put an original spin on a local favorite with a blackened tuna rubbed with New Mexico red chile served atop saffron rice. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

WINSTON'S PUB AND PATIO 531 Metairie Road, Metairie 831-8705 Come here for the bar, cheer for the added bonus of good bar food like cheese fries or the Forest Hills Burger, a full half-pound burger dressed and cooked as ordered with a side of fries or onion rings. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

ZEKE'S RESTAURANT 1517 Metairie Road 832-1133 Zeke's prepares oysters on the half shell with garlic butter and a special seasoning and then grills them on an open fire. The boiled seafood, which changes seasonally, is popular with the serious seafood connoisseur. Reservations recommended. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

OUTSKIRTS

BULL'S CORNER 1036 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace (985) 652-3544; www.bullscorner.com Specializing in prime steaks and local seafood for more than 20 years, Bull's has had time to perfect its trademark combination of laidback fun and great dining value. Try the pecan-smoked beef brisket po-boy, served with grilled onions and horseradish sauce, or lighter items such as the grilled veggie primavera pasta. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

HILLBILLY BAR-B-Q 208 Tallulah Ave., River Ridge 738-1508 Chef-owner Larry Wyatt claims Hillbilly Bar-B-Q isn't anything close to gourmet -- just good home cookin'. But regulars might argue that it's just as good for invoking dreams of Kentucky hickory-smoked meats cooked with a vinegar-based barbecue sauce, served alongside Hobo Taters, a hot potato salad dressed with bacon and sour cream. New to the menu is a red wine vinaigrette slaw, served as a salad or to dress sandwiches. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

AUGUST MOON 3635 Prytania St. 899-5129 Renovations have prettied up a Chinese restaurant that's been a reliable stop for Uptown diners for years. Try the ever-popular Happy Family, which features everything from roast pork and chicken to beef and shrimp. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

BARCIA'S GROCERY 3633 Annunciation St. 899-9111 The club sandwich is a popular lunch dish at this Uptown sandwich spot, where inexpensive, generous portions keep diners coming back. Rotating lunch specials include red beans and rice on Mondays, Friday seafood plates, fried pork chops on Thursdays and chili dogs on Tuesdays. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, early dinner Monday through Friday. Cash only. $

BAYOU BAR 2031 St. Charles Ave. (Pontchartrain Hotel) 524-0581; www.pontchartrainhotel.com Bar patrons can order from the hotel's Pontchartrain Cafe so as not to miss a minute of the nightly live piano jazz. Favorites include Creole crabcakes, wings, baby back ribs and the hotel's signature Mile-High Pie -- a tower of meringue and chocolate over Neapolitan ice cream so impressive it was featured on the Food Network. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

BLUEBIRD CAFE 3625 Prytania St. 895-7166 This perennial breakfast favorite recently expanded its hours to begin serving its diner-style treats in the evenings. Now the famous huevos rancheros aren't just for breakfast anymore, and you can get an energy kick from the Powerhouse Breakfast -- eggs scrambled with wheat and tamari -- late into the evening. Watch for an expanded dinner menu with blue plate specials coming soon. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Checks. $

THE BULLDOG 3236 Magazine St. 891-1516; www.draftfreak.com This congenial Uptown pub, famous for its staggering beer selection (50 on tap alone), has recently shifted its menu from traditional pub fare to a Tex-Mex flavored agenda. The famous burgers are still there; check out new appetizers such as the Tex-Mex egg rolls, filled with spicy chicken, corn, black beans, peppers, onions and cheese and served with spicy pineapple salsa. No reservations. Lunch Friday through Sunday, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CAFE ATCHAFALAYA 901 Louisiana Ave. 891-5271 This neighborhood favorite serves down-home Southern classics such as crispy fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce, as well as delicate seafood dishes like the amberjack topped with crabmeat and beurre blanc. Another favorite on the appetizer menu is the pistachio-crusted fried shrimp, served with jalapeno jelly. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, breakfast and brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CAFE BANQUETTE 3445 Prytania St. 891-5773 The tasty bar menu is available into the wee hours. Recently added to the array of salads, sandwiches and New Orleans standards is a selection of wraps, including the popular chicken fajita wrap: spicy marinated and grilled chicken bundled in a flour tortilla with roasted red peppers, lettuce, feta and Monterey Jack cheeses, sour cream and a special Southwestern sauce. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

CAFE LUNA 802 Nashville Ave. 269-2444 This renovated Uptown house offers the perfect spot to lazily while away the afternoon with its sprawling wraparound porch. Now patrons can count wireless Internet access among Luna's attractions, as well as an array of espresso drinks, teas, panini sandwiches and fresh pastries. No reservations. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CAFE RANI 2917 Magazine St. 895-2500 For those who despair in the pursuit of healthy eating in New Orleans, Rani's famous large, leafy salads may be your savior. Lounge on the outdoor patio overlooking the Magazine Street shopping strip while digging into specials including the shrimp and eggplant Rani pasta: grilled, breaded medallions of eggplant served over penne pasta in a pesto cream sauce with shrimp, portobello mushrooms and wilted greens. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CANNON'S 4141 St. Charles Ave. 891-3200; www.cannonsrestaurants.com Cannon's provides casual neighborhood dining in a scenic St. Charles Avenue locale, where you can hear the dim rumble of the streetcar while enjoying contemporary American staples succh as steaks, burgers and hearty salads. New on the menu is the New England clambake-style steamed bucket for one or two, which includes whole blue crabs, Alaskan crab legs, corn, red potatoes and jumbo shrimp. Reservations not needed. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE CHEF'S TABLE 2100 St. Charles Ave. 525-CHEF (2433); www.ci-no.com/restaurant.html The New Orleans Culinary Institute's budding chefs hone their skills in the open-exhibition kitchen. Start off with the crispy oysters breaded with cornmeal and flash fried and served in a puff pastry basket in an oyster cream sauce with creamed leeks and sweet potato hay, and then move on to entrees like the potato-crusted salmon in citrus beurre blanc. The culinary shop provides spices and cookbooks. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $$

CHEZ NOUS CHARCUTERIE 5701 Magazine St. 899-7303 This specialty-prepared-foods shop offers a changing array of delectable pre-made items to pamper busy gourmands, from sandwiches and salads to grab on the way home, to full holiday feasts. Chez Nous also offers decadent treats, from gourmet ice creams to imported flavor-infused olive oils. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

CLANCY'S 6100 Annunciation St. 895-1111 Clancy's gets hopping around happy hour when Uptowners retreat to the bar to sample the fine scotch collection and wine list. But the real action is in the dining room, where the contemporary Louisiana menu features fried oysters with Brie, smoked softshell crab, lobster risotto and grilled fish. Save room for the peppermint ice cream or lemon icebox pie. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and local checks. $$

COPELAND'S CHEESECAKE BISTRO 2001 St. Charles Ave. 593-9955; www.copelandscheesecakebistro.com This casual Al Copeland outpost puts a twist on local favorites with appetizers like French fried eggplant and Cajun egg rolls stuffed with crawfish and tasso. The signature barbecue shrimp linguine tosses the pasta and shrimp with lemon butter and serves them in a pizza bowl. And the cheesecake needs no introduction. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

COYOACAN COCINA MEXICANA 1432 St. Charles Ave. 525-9996 Chef-owner Guillermo Peters picked up his Taqueros operation in Kenner and moved into the Uptown area and offers a different dining atmosphere in each of the two floors of his new building. Taqueros, a casual taqueria, is downstairs, while Coyoacan, a fine-dining venue, is upstairs. Try the venison chops with the three-chile sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

CREOLE CREAMERY 4924 Prytania St. 894-8680 A mad scientist of ice cream might be working at the Creole Creamery, where new flavors like peppermint, sweet cream Danish and buttermilk drop are constantly created. For those who prefer a traditional treat, this ice cream shop has revived the classic nectar soda. No reservations. Open daily. Cash only. $

CREPES A LA CART 1039 Broadway St. 866-2362 Crepes are making quite the comeback in this Francophile city, and this is new gourmet-to-go restaurant is a good reason why. They offer more than 50 different types of breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert crepes, so you might say they have you covered. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $

THE DELACHAISE 3442 St. Charles Ave. 895-0858 The Delachaise killed two trend birds with one stone when it opened just over ago: the increasing presence of both wine bars and tapas restaurants. With it's shotgun-shaped cafe and bar with a 180-degree window seating area in the front, The Delachaise is a fitting place for New Orleans' up-and-comers to sample wines delivered in mini decanters and tapas such as the beef bourguignonne, served with potatoes. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

DICK AND JENNY'S 4501 Tchoupitoulas St. 894-9880 See Dick cook. Cook, Dick, cook. See Jenny run the front like a well-oiled machine. How does this husband-and-wife team in the converted house do it? Chef Richard Benz, who cut his teeth at Upperline, has crafted his own version of contemporary Louisiana cuisine that is adventurous and accessible all at one. Try the peppercorn-seared yellow fin tuna with spicy baked pineapple, steamed spinach, yam fritters and a carrot-ginger sauce. No reservations. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

DOMILISE'S PO-BOYS 5240 Annunciation St. 899-9126 The pictures of happy, smiling customers and friends that decorate the walls at Domilise's bear testament to the power of po-boys to please. The shrimp, oyster and catfish po-boys all satisfy a hungry belly, but it's the roast beef po-boy with two kinds of mustard and gravy that lingers most in patrons' minds. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

DOS JEFES UPTOWN CIGAR BAR 5535 Tchoupitoulas St. 891-8500 Cigar disciples treasure this late-night neighborhood spot not only for its liberal smoking policy but also the eccentric bar-food menu and nightly live music. Listen to Leigh 'Little Queenie' Harris belt out the tunes while you savor the black bean nachos or oysters meuniere. After dinner, the patio makes a great place to enjoy a premium cigar and snifter of cognac. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

EMERIL'S DELMONICO RESTAURANT 1300 St. Charles Ave. 525-4937; www.emerils.com Emeril's Delmonico is yet another installment in the ubiquitous kingdom of Emeril. This bastion of elegance boasts its own beef aging room. So, any of the steaks are a good choice, especially the broiled prime aged rib-eye that is served with maitre d'hotel butter. Traditional steak house sides are kicked up a notch in true Emeril style, such as the caramelized onion-bacon-smothered wild mushrooms. For a truly unforgettable experience have one of the classic tableside dessert presentations, the baked Alaska or bananas Foster. Reservations required. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, jazz brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

F&M PATIO BAR 4841 Tchoupitoulas St. 895-6784 Where else can you dance on a pool table while eating a hot dog after midnight? Those in the know have been flocking here for ages to enjoy late-night burgers and deluxe cheese fries smothered in cheese, chili, jalapenos and shallots. Loaded fajitas and crispy cheese sticks can be had alongside a full bar in the dance club. No reservations. Late-night Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

FAT HARRY'S BAR & GRILL 4330 St. Charles Ave. 895-9582 This quintessential college hangout serves up some consistently good bar fare. Students come here late at night for juicy burgers, wings and chicken fingers. Those in the area come to lunch on po-boys, quesadillas and salads. Everyone's favorite is the Jazz Burger, a mix of ground beef and hot sausage with Monterey Jack cheese and barbecue sauce on an onion roll. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

FOODIES KITCHEN 7457 St. Charles Ave. 865-8646; www. foodieskitchen.com This is now the lone Foodies location since the Metairie branch closed, and it is going strong, featuring many delectable take-out options, such as a chile lime chicken breast and lasagna. There's also a wide selection of desserts, such as cheesecake, brownies and apple pie. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

FRIAR TUCK'S 5130 Freret St. 891-4080 Friar Tuck's has earned unflinching loyalty for its better-than-usual tavern fare, including the popular Tuck's burger. The folks here boast about this hefty, hand-packed, half-pound, all-beef burger with cheese, complete with an order of fries. For those with a less carnivorous appetite, salads, sandwiches and soups grace the menu. No reservations. Dinner and late-night Monday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

GAUTREAU'S 1728 Soniat St. 899-7397; www.gautreaus.net Chef Mathias Wolf's bold touch with Louisiana cuisine was featured in Food and Wine, where critics picked out one appetizer in particular to rave over: the peppered Gulf shrimp served with a Louisiana satsuma gastrique. For an entree, the house recommends the seared wahoo with an asparagus and turnip sauce served over a celery root risotto. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

THE GROCERY 2854 St. Charles Ave. 895-9524 Chef-owner Marcy McCall offers a variety of sandwiches prepared with much TLC, such as the muffaletta that features housemade olive salad. All of the sandwiches can be pressed in the style of the Cuban sandwich where the bread toasts to flaky perfection and the cheese oozes seductively. The Grocery also has a variety of salads complimented by housemade dressings and croutons. For dessert try a brownie or some locally made ice cream that can easily be transformed into a shake. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Checks. $

GUY'S PO-BOYS 5259 Magazine St. 891-5025 New Orleans to the core, this little po-boy shop has been serving Uptowners lunch for more than 30 years. The menu features roast beef, ham, sausage, oyster and fried or grilled shrimp po-boys. For a little something different, a chicken club is now made with a fried breast of chicken, bacon, and two cheeses. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

HEAVENLY HAM 5300 Tchoupitoulas St. 891-5100 Gourmet sandwiches are the name of the game at this deli, with favorites including the Paradise Club: smoked turkey, ham, peppered bacon, havarti cheese with a special honey mustard sauce on a croissant. Sandwiches can be made to-go as a box lunch with a drink, side salad and a cookie. Gourmet meals, whole pies and specialty condiments are available for purchase as well. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, lunch and early dinner Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $

HOME FURNISHINGS STORE CAFE 1600 Prytania St. 566-1707 Reminiscent of days-of-old department store lunch spots, this cafe continues to please neighborhood patrons and shoppers with tasty lunch favorites and specials. This fall, pork medallions Florentine and the baked chicken plate are not to be missed. The cafeteria-style line forms to sample hearty gumbo and slices of chocolate cake. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Checks. $

HOUSTON'S 1755 St. Charles Ave. 524-1578; www.houstons.com Guests ensconced in enormous booths enjoy their spinach dip while gazing out the big windows looking onto St. Charles Avenue. Houston's handles their brisk business by putting out an array of salads, meaty platters of ribs and steaks, fish dishes and the quintessential burger. Desserts abound with Key lime pie, the five-nut brownie and the apple-walnut cobbler. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

INDONIQUE 4861 Magazine St. 891-8776; www.indonique.com This Uptown cafe is no longer serving full meals or showcasing live music, but instead, they are focusing intensely on tea. They offer more than 50 varieties of whole leaf tea, including an authentic Indian chai that they make fresh daily. You can sip a cup while enjoying a housemade scone and using the wireless Internet. Now, they also offer a frozen chai beverage and sell their own blend of gram masala (Indian spices). No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Sunday. Credit cards. $

JOEY K'S 3001 Magazine St. 891-0997 Make Joey K's a respite from the Magazine Street shuffle with the daily all-you-can-eat catfish platter. A daily special can offer anything from white beans and pork chops to lamb shanks. Reservations recommended for large parties. Breakfast Saturday, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

JUAN'S FLYING BURRITO 2018 Magazine St. 569-0000; www.juansflyingburrito.com The original Juan's never loses its charm with the tough attitude and music complementing killer burritos. When you're short on cash but big on hunger, Juan's delivers with the namesake Flying Burrito stuffed with steak, chicken and shrimp and then stuffed some more with beans, cheese, guacamole, rice, sour cream and salsa. For less voracious appetites, there are tacos, salads, quesadillas and more. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KOKOPELLI'S 3150 Calhoun St. 861-3922 This Tex-Mex restaurant takes the fine art of burrito making and takes it all around the world and back again. Ever tried a Thai chicken burrito? There are more than 25 different styles of burrito at this family restaurant that also has the moxy to include guacamole and hummus on the same menu. On Tuesdays, it's 'bring your buddy day' where guests can buy one burrito get the other for half off. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

KYOTO 4920 Prytania St. 891-3644 For 10 years Kyoto has been keeping its guests happy by preparing fresh sushi and Japanese dishes along with an extensive appetizer menu. One might start with the tuna tataki ginzina which is described as seared tuna served over shredded turnips with sesame avocado sauce. For sushi, there's the Sara roll, spicy shrimp topped with crunchy soy chili sauce. It's named for the restaurant's owner so it has to be good. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

LA CREPE NANOU 1410 Robert St. 899-2670 This French cafe is a study of elegance, with main courses like the Les Moules Marinieres, a big bowl of fresh mussels steamed in garlic, white wine and a touch of cream and served with pommes frites. La Fondue is absolutely divine, with three kinds of cheese melted with kirsch and chablis, served with fresh fruit and diced bread for dipping. No reservations. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

LE BON TEMPS ROULE 4801 Magazine St. 897-3448/895-8117 Burgers and sandwiches keep the local music crowd fully fortified at Bon Temps. The late night menu also sees to it that regular patrons of the bar's frequent shows are well fed no matter what time it is. But the most popular item has to be Temps' quesadillas, loaded with black beans, pico di gallo, black olives and chicken. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily, 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $

LE CITRON BISTRO 1539 Religious St. 566-9051; www.lecitronbistro.com David Baird, a former partner at Jacques-Imo's, has opened his own Creole Italian place in the oldest building in Uptown. Enjoy a plate of free-range fried chicken, grilled catfish or fried seafood with a Chimay draft in the courtyard. Lunch Wednesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday, and late-night Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Reservations required for parties of ten or more. Credit cards. $$

LULU'S IN THE GARDEN 2203 St. Charles Ave., Garden District Hotel 586-9956; www.lulusinthegarden.com Who says healthy food can't be delicious? Just check out Lulu's in the Garden's dinner menu, which features such items as herb and spice crusted tilapia with lobster mashed potatoes or the feta crusted lamb with giant couscous, roasted peppers and olives. The lunch menu has salads and sandwiches and many of the ingredients are bought locally at farmers markets. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Sunday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MAMA'S TASTY FOODS 1641 Louisiana Ave. 899-6162 For a quick late night pull in and pull out meal, try Mama's. Actually, it's good anytime, but being open late is always held in high regard here in New Orleans. The menu features fried chicken, seafood and Asian food. Mama's is famous for its 19-inch shrimp, roast beef and white trout po-boys and bite-sized skinless barbecue chicken. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

MARTIN WINE CELLAR 3827 Baronne St. 899-7411; www.martinwine.com If you're looking for a specific kind of liquor or wine, chances are, Martin's got it. Check out the deli with a wide range of food to go (beef tenderloin with Yukon gold potatoes, grilled mahi mahi with pineapple salsa topping, grilled asparagus) and ask about wine tasting events. The first Wednesday of every month features Wine Flights, where one ticket allows you to try five wines and free appetizers from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $

MARTINIQUE BISTRO 5908 Magazine St. 891-8495 Martinique is a French bistro with a Caribbean twist and the island flavors show up in a few of the menu's more popular items. Caribbean jerk pork porterhouse with peach and pink peppercorn demi-glace is a house specialty as is the ram shank brazed in Guinness stout with apple smoked bacon, caramelized onions and fennel. Reservations recommended. Dinner nightly. Credit cards. $$

MIYAKO JAPANESE SUSHI BAR & HIBACHI 1403 St. Charles Ave. 410-9997 All the standard rolls and Japanese foods make an appearance on Miyako's menu. The sushi bar churns out crunchy rolls and California rolls along with fresh sashimi and nigiri. There is also a hibachi to make things a little more interesting. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MOONLIGHT CAFE 1921 Sophie Wright Place 522-7313 If it's 2 a.m. and you absolutely, positively have to have a kebab, Moonlight Cafe will fill your needs and deliver, too. With a Middle Eastern menu that also features a good deal of Western items, Moonlight Cafe makes sure it has all bases covered with more than 50 items including burgers, gyros, barbecue, appetizers, soups, and the Moonburger, a burger with ham and Swiss on top. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards and checks. $

NACHO MAMA'S MEXICAN GRILL 3242 Magazine St. 899-0031 Mama knows you could make a meal of the nachos loaded with cheese, meat, guacamole, sour cream and black olives. The shrimp and bacon stuffed quesadilla grilled over an open flame is another good option. Two-for-one margaritas nightly. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch daily at the CBD location, lunch and dinner daily at the Uptown location. Credit cards and checks. $

NEW YORK PIZZA 5201 Magazine St. 891-2376 New York Pizza bakes a pie with a thin crust and a zesty sauce. Specialty pizzas, like the Queens with olive oil, fresh spinach, mozzarella, mushroom, artichokes and feta cheese, pay homage to the boroughs of the Big Apple. The Snooie bread appetizer, an Italian bun with melted Swiss, mozzarella, oregano and fresh tomatoes, is also popular. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

NIRVANA INDIAN CUISINE 4308 Magazine St. 894-9797 This heavenly Indian restaurant has added several new items to their popular menu. Vegetarians should consider the tamatar and capsicum, tomatoes stuffed with bell peppers, vegetables and homemade cheese. The dhanya ghosht, a leg of lamb stewed with coriander and spices, is another new addition. Reservations recommended for parties of five or more. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PASCAL'S MANALE RESTAURANT 1838 Napoleon Ave. 895-4877 The very definition of a neighborhood restaurant with its homey architecture and neon sign, Pascal's is the place everyone knows invented the barbecue shrimp dish, served with the heads on and prepared in Pascal's signature spicy and tangy sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PONTCHARTRAIN CAFE 2031 St. Charles Ave. (Pontchartrain Hotel) 524-0581; www.pontchartrainhotel.com For many diners, the Creole crab cakes over baby mixed greens with a remoulade sauce or the grilled King Rex fillet with demi-glace is just a prelude to the signature Mile High Pie. The monstrous dessert is an 8-inch stack of Neapolitan ice cream in a pie crust topped with an extra inch of peppermint ice cream and a layer of meringue. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

RENDON INN 4501 Eve St. 822-9858 Sunday football games are even better watched with one of Rendon Inn's $6 Abita pitchers and a plate of pulled pork or beef brisket barbecue with beans and potato salad. All the house-smoked barbecue meats are also available as sandwiches. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $

RICCOBONO'S PANOLA STREET CAFE 7801 Panola St. 314-1810 Uptowners can enjoy leisurely weekend brunches in this sunny neighborhood cafe, with hearty offerings like fruit-topped Belgian waffles, pancakes with strawberries, blueberries or bananas and nuts, and savory items like the eggs Benedict. The eggs Pontchartrain is a local variation on the last; poached eggs in hollandaise with crawfish saute in place of Canadian bacon. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

ROBERT'S FRESH MARKET CAFE & BAKERY 1325 Annunciation St. 524-6431; www.robertsfreshmarket.com Grocery shopping can be a treat at this cafe located in the Annunciation Street market. Tasty and inexpensive daily specials, changing frequently, are the order of the day. Chef Liam's favorites include a pepper jelly-glazed chicken, beef daube braised in red wine and tomato, buttermilk fried chicken and a Jamaican jerk pork chop. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

SAKE CAFE UPTOWN 2830 Magazine St. 894-0033; www.sakecafeuptown.com It's time to let go of the K&B and appreciate this space for what it is: postmodern elegance that's home to some of the most inventive sushi in town. Just consider the Spider Web Roll: softshell crab, avocado, cucumber, wrap spicy tuna, wasabi tobiko, served on a web of the chef's special sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SLICE PIZZERIA 1513 St. Charles Ave. 525-7437 From the funky-punky folks at the popular Juan's Flying Burrito comes this pizzeria in a softly lit, bistro atmosphere. Try the formidable Sicilian Square with its soft, thick crust and topping options galore. There's the thinner option, the Neapolitan-style crust with a foundation of tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, late-night Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

SLIM GOODIES 3322 Magazine St. 891-3447 It's hard to resist eating breakfast at this traditional diner with an edge -- regardless of what time you go there. The omelettes are huge and boast inventive ingredient combinations, and there also are lunch and dinner entrees such as crawfish etouffee and meatloaf with Swiss cheese and a sauce with ingredients the staff won't reveal. Don't discount the chocolate milkshake. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

ST. CHARLES TAVERN 1433 St. Charles Ave. 523-9823 No matter what time it is, you can always find a bountiful meal at St. Charles Tavern, including the huge Tavern Combo that serves up red beans and rice with andouille sausage, plus seafood jambalaya and gumbo. Breakfast includes chili or crawfish etouffee omelettes, pancakes, French toast, steak and more. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

STILL PERKIN' The Rink, 2727 Prytania St. 899-0335 Pastries and desserts are favorite partners for the menu of coffee and specialty drinks, including frozen lemonade and frozen granitas, at this coffee shop in The Rink. It also serves panini sandwiches from La Spiga, including one starring turkey, cheese, pesto and basil. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

SUPERIOR GRILL 3636 St. Charles Ave. 899-4200; www.superiorgrill.com Mexican with a twist is the forte at Superior, including the Enchilada Del Mar: crawfish-stuffed enchiladas topped with a mesquite-grilled tilapia fillet served with grilled vegetables and Mexican rice. The grilled tuna salad features seared tuna tossed with cilantro and ginger vinaigrette served over mixed field greens with mango and avocado. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SURREY'S CAFE AND JUICE BAR 1418 Magazine St. 524-3828 Fresh-squeezed organic juices and a host of traditional breakfast items are among the draws at Chef Gregg Surrey's cafe but he also cooks up black bean crab cakes seasoned with habanera cumin and garlic and served with poblano remoulade sauce and a side salad of pickled vegetables, cilantro and jalapenos. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $

TED'S FROSTOP 6303 S. Claiborne Ave. 861-3615 Ted's Frostop has been a fixture as a quick serve diner since 1955. Its giant root beer mug sign has beckoned the young and old for three generations. Signature items are the root beer and nectar malts, the fully dressed Lot-O-Burger with waffle fries, and a great variety of po-boys. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

UPPERLINE RESTAURANT 1413 Upperline St. 891-9822; www.upperline.comThe New York Times recently declared shrimp and grits to be cool and called Upperline's Cane River Shrimp (shrimp, garlic, mushroom and bacon sauteed together and laid across crispy grits) the best in the nation. Also consider the rack of New Zealand lamb with mint Madeira reduction. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

VERA CRUZ 7537 Maple St. 866-1736 The collegiate crowd loves the Guadalajara (two chicken enchiladas cook with salsa verde and white cheese and then topped with guacamole), the Lechon Asado (lean pork served with caramelized red onions), and the many vegetarian options at this Mexican restaurant. The college kids also approve of the two-for-one margarita pitchers every Tuesday and Thursday. Reservations accepted. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

WHOLE FOODS MARKET 5600 Magazine St. 891-9119; www.wholefoods.com With Whole Foods' gourmet-to-go items, hosts can throw an elegant dinner party without heating up the kitchen. In addition to a seasonal selection of prepared dinners, Whole Foods offers made-to-order sandwiches, a full bakery and a salad bar. Vegetarian and vegan options include spicy chile tofu and spinach lentil soup. The Uptown location features a pizza station that's a hit with the college crowd. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

BACK TO THE GARDEN 833 Howard Ave. 299-8792 Calling all vegetarians, you are welcome here. There are plenty of options to choose from, including a garden delight salad with a choice of 12 homemade salad dressings. Meateaters won't feel left out with a stacked club sandwich. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Limited CBD delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

DINO'S BAR & GRILL 1128 Tchoupitoulas St. 558-0900 With new chef Gary Hults and an expanded lunch menu Dino's is looking to give you even more of a good thing. You can still count on the relaxed atmosphere -- just expect extra love from the kitchen. The chef recommends the grilled tuna steak over horseradish mashed potatoes or the fried calamari salad. Save room for housemade desserts like bread pudding and pecan pie. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

ELEVEN79 1179 Annunciation St. 299-1179 There is an Old World feel at Eleven79 with its '50s supper club decor and Italian-American cuisine. Always on the menu is the grilled calamari with pecorino polenta and lemon butter or the signature Paneed Veal Eleven79 served with roasted red peppers, asparagus, buffalo mozzarella and lemon sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thursday and Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

EMERIL'S 800 Tchoupitoulas St. 528-9393; www.emerils.com An expense-account destination, Emeril's lives up to expectations with a six-course degustation menu; it changes daily, utilizes the freshest ingredients and each course is exquisitely executed. Two courses that showcase Emeril's signature culinary savoir faire are the Miskell Farm tomatoes with Burrata mozzarella and the roasted American rack of lamb with a Creole mustard crust. Reservations required. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

LA COTE BRASSERIE 700 Tchoupitoulas St. (Renaissance Arts Hotel) 613-2350; www.lacotebrasserie.com Contemporary Louisiana cuisine with French influences is how La Cote Brasserie's chef describes the menu. Though there are some beef and poultry dishes on the menu, seafood is usually front and center. Whether it's the whole fish presentation or the chilled seafood platter that features lobster, mussels, crab, oysters and shrimp, there is plenty of delectables on the menu for lovers of fine dining to enjoy. There is also a huge wine list and free valet parking to make guests feel extra special. Reservtions recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

LAFAYETTE SPORTS CLUB 600 St. Charles Ave. (Lafayette Hotel) 410-2582 The average sports bar menu takes a turn towards the upscale at Lafayette Sports Club where the menu starts with appetizers and moves all the way up to filet mignon. The club has also started a new brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. Popular dishes include the appetizer trifecta where you pick any three appetizers and the Bobby Hebert burger made with Cajun turkey. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, brunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MICHAUL'S LIVE CAJUN MUSIC RESTAURANT 840 St. Charles Ave. 522-5517; www.michauls.com It's popular for the music and Cajun dance lessons, but there's a lot on the menu at Michaul's to keep tourists and locals coming back for more. The Chef's specialty is a bayou seafood pasta with crab, crawfish and shrimp in a cream sauce and there is real alligator served deep fried. Wash it all down with Michaul's signature drink, Blue Mamou Brew. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MULATE'S THE ORIGINAL CAJUN RESTAURANT 201 Julia St. 522-1492; www.mulates.com After dancing to a few zydeco tunes, diners are hungry for grilled alligator, gumbo and catfish Mulate's, a grilled catfish fillet topped with crawfish etouffee and served with jambalaya, haricots verts and twice-baked potato. Music starts at 7 p.m. nightly. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

POLYNESIAN JOE'S 869 Magazine St. 525-9301; www.polyjoes.com Some men claim that they only come to Polynesian Joe's on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the mozzarella sticks, Big Wong burgers and chicken wings, not the lingerie shows. With a sand volleyball court and plenty of drink specials, people always have a good time at this bar known as 'party central.' No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THE PRALINE CONNECTION GOSPEL & BLUES HALL 907 S. Peters St. 523-3973; www.pralineconnection.com It's always all-you-can-eat at this soulful restaurant. During the week, the buffet offers Southern favorites such as gumbo, red beans, greens, fried chicken and stuffed bell peppers. On Sunday, a live gospel choir entertains during brunch. Reservations are recommended for parties of 10 or more and for Sunday brunch. Lunch Monday through Friday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

RASPUTIN 600 St. Charles Ave. 561-9261 With a staggering 120 varieties of vodka, including Rasputin's own house-infused varieties, one could get easily distracted during cocktails. But to do so would be to miss out on the hip, decadent, Russian atmosphere and treats like the full caviar service. Dinner specialties include a pan-seared striped bass, served with jumbo lump crabmeat relish in a smoked eggplant sauce. Reservations accepted. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

THE RED EYE GRILL 852 S. Peters St. 593-9393; www.redeyegrill.net A late-night bar food fix is within earshot of a rock show at the Howlin' Wolf. Hungry music fans pour in post-concert for solid specialties like broccoli and cheese bites, jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks and hefty cheeseburgers. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night Monday through Saturday, dinner and late-night Sunday. Credit cards. $

RIOMAR 800 S. Peters St. 525-3474; www.riomarseafood.com Fresh seafood gets a Spanish twist at Chef Adolfo Garcia's Warehouse District joint. Tapas are a standout, with tasty tidbits including marinated eggplant with manchego cheese and several varieties of refreshing ceviche. The garlic steamed mussels with chorizo make a great starter, and the grilled double-cut pork chop is served in a dried fig reduction with caramelized onion mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SUGAR HOUSE 315 Julia St. (Embassy Suites Hotel) 525-1993; www.embassysuites.com/es/neworleans The management at this hotel restaurant in the Warehouse District recommends the crabmeat-stuffed shrimp, which features three butterflied jumbo Gulf shrimp wrapped around crabmeat dressing and coated with coconut curry oil before they are roasted. As with all the entrees here, it comes with a chef special, house salad and a choice of garlic-mashed potatoes, rice pilaf or rosemary mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch buffet Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TCHOUP-N-JOE'S 870 Tchoupitoulas St. 581-2858 They've only been open for three months, but already the folks at Tchoup-N-Joe's have neighbors coming in for the soups, salads, sandwiches and specials that kick into high gear on the weekends for football games on the three flat-screen TVs. Also try the veal or chicken piccata. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Delivery available. Credit cards. $

TOMMY'S CUISINE 746 Tchoupitoulas St. 581-1103 Chef Tommy Andrade presents a Creole-Italian menu that features such dishes as the eggplant seafood casserole, which includes shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish baked with eggplant and herbs; and duck Tchoupitoulas, crispy roasted duck glazed with raspberry demi-glace and served with fresh spinach and wild rice. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE VELVET ROOM 916 Lafayette St. 589-0069 While we'll miss the bordello-themed Sporting House Café in this space, we're intrigued by the equally seductive connotations of the name The Velvet Room. Equally tempting are the Italian Sushi Tryst (Bacalo hand roll, shrimp-stuffed shells and beef capriccio) and the fresh fava bean and octopus salad (tomatoes, oranges and tarragon). Reservations recommended. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, dinner and late-night Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

VIC'S KANGAROO CAFE 636 Tchoupitoulas St. 524-4329 This is the place to go on a cool night for an imported beer and warm shepherd's pie: seasoned ground beef and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT PIZZA 1068 Magazine St. 529-1466 This pizzeria cooks a pie that's a little bit wild with toppings that include venison, duck or pheasant sausage. The Warehouse District Special, a 20-inch pizza with a variety of toppings, will feed a crowd. No reservations. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

THE WINE LOFT 752 Tchoupitoulas St. 561-0116; www.thewineloft.net A menu of elegant European fare, like baked Brie en croute with grilled seasonal fruit or escargot bourguignonne wrapped in a pastry shell and drizzled with Herbsaint cream complements a wine list that Gambit readers voted the best in New Orleans in 2004. The knowledgeable staff guides patrons through the list of 70 wines by the glass and 200 by the bottle. Friday evening half priced wines are served with complimentary cheeses. Reservations recommended for parties of eight or more. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

WEST BANK

9 ROSES 1100 Stephens St., Gretna 366-7665 The book-length menu at this popular West Bank eatery is chock full of Vietnamese and Chinese goodies, from steaming bowls of pho to jackfruit milkshakes and fresh lemonade. Flavorful specialties include gingered chicken and lemongrass beef. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Thursday through Tuesday. Credit cards. $

ADAM'S CATFISH HOUSE 8523 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse 392-0541 Celebrating its quarter-century anniversary this year, Adam's has plenty of practice serving up catfish in a myriad of ways. Regulars come back for the all-you-can-eat whole fish on the bone special, as well as the more diet-conscious grilled catfish salad. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

CAFE ZEN 2112 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna 393-2293 This West Bank sushi spot continues the tradition of sister restaurants Hana and Kanpai in New Orleans, with glistening slabs of sashimi and elaborate sushi rolls like the Special Salmon Roll, in which deep-fried salmon is stuffed with snow crab and wrapped in sticky rice and seaweed. The lobster roll goes down great with either hot or cold sake. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

CHINA BLOSSOM 1801 Stumpf Blvd., Suite 8, Gretna 361-4598 China Blossom's commitment to fresh ingredients means a lot of Louisiana seafood ends up in the mix, with dishes such as pecan shrimp that features juicy shrimp and glazed pecans in a sweet cream sauce served over rice noodles. For a seafood grand slam, try the fried softshell crab topped with crawfish in a garlic-ginger sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday and Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

CHRISTY'S PO-BOYS AND CUBAN FOOD 1102 Stumpf Blvd., Gretna 368-6498 This 13-year-old family business serves traditional po-boys, but the real specialty is the authentic Cuban cuisine. Try the Cuban steak that is marinated in lemon juice and Cuban spices and topped with grilled onions or the slow-cooked ox tails if you are feeling especially adventurous. Wash it all down with a tropical milkshake like mango, guanabana or papaya. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

CLEMENTINE'S BELGIAN BISTROT 2505 Whitney Ave., Gretna 366-3995 When was the last time you considered Belgian cuisine? Here are some great reasons why you should: lunch specials including Carbonnades Flamandes (Flemish beef stew) and entrees including Clementine's signature menu (fondu au fromage, almond catfish and creme brulee). The chef also recommends the spinach and mozzarella crepes and the mussels in lobster bisque. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

COMMON GROUNDS 335 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 227-2200 Common Grounds satisfies different appetites with its combination coffee shop and full-service restaurant. If you're in for the full meal, try the tuna steak with a ginger butter glaze. The sandwich menu includes the hot Honey P. Long with honey-baked ham, Monterey Jack cheese and vinaigrette on olive bread. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

COTTAGE CAFE 423 10th St., Gretna 366-2233 The Cottage Cafe gets West Bank residents through the week with its lunch menu of Creole and Italian favorites and dinners on Thursday though Saturday. The corn, crab and shrimp bisque is a good starter, and the Louisiana crabcakes are a winner every time. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Thursday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

DOUBLE DRAGON 8236 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse 433-4333 Seafood is the specialty at this West Bank Chinese restaurant. Chopped lobster in a garlic sauce is popular as is the Fire Fish, a whole red snapper cooked in red pepper sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner served daily. Credit cards. $

FROSTY'S CAFFE 2800 Manhattan Blvd., Suite B, Harvey 361-9099 The namesake beverage here is the bubble tea, a Vietnamese concoction with floating pearls of tapioca and 80 flavors to choose from. Not to be missed is the jasmine green tea with jellied lychee or the avocado shake. For more solid fare, there are spring rolls and an assortment of vegetarian soups and dishes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

GATTUSO'S DELI 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 368-1114 Gattuso's specializes in deli fare such as the grilled chicken and feta wrap, with sun-dried tomatoes, lettuce and balsamic vinaigrette wrapped in a spinach tortilla. But there are heartier dinner options like baby back ribs with Gattuso's homemade watermelon barbecue sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $

JOHNNY & JACKIE'S PO-BOY RESTAURANT 326 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 362-8690 Johnny and Jackie's namesake special po-boy is stuffed with grilled ham, roast beef and American and Swiss cheeses. An alternative to the bun is the Caesar salad with a choice of fried chicken, oysters or shrimp or grilled chicken or shrimp. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Checks and credit cards. $

KIM SON 349 Whitney Ave., Gretna 366-2489 Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines come together with fresh seafood on Kim Son's menu to create a plethora of inspired dishes featuring everything from crab, shrimp and scallops to beef and pork entrees. Health nuts are in luck as well, Kim Son offers a spring roll appetizer and a number of vegetarian dishes along with flavor-savoring clay pot cooking. Reservations recommended for six or more. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MO'S PIZZA 1112 Avenue H., Westwego 341-9650 It started out as a mobile restaurant but popular demand made Mo's what it is today, a busy Westwego neighborhood spot that doesn't sandbag on the character or good eats. Serving exclusively Italian food, Mo's churns out pizzas, lasagna, spaghetti, muffalettas, Italian salads and turnovers like nobody's business. It also has plenty of beer to wash it all down with. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

MOSCA'S 4137 W. Hwy. 90, Avondale 436-9942, 436-8950 Old World Italian cooking is on the menu at Mosca's, and a thoughtful wine list complements the flavors on the plates. The oysters Mosca are baked in Italian seasonings and olive oil, and for the Chicken a la Grande a whole bird is pan-fried with garlic, rosemary, oregano and white wine. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Cash only. $$$

PUPUSERIA DIVINO CORAZON 2300 Belle Chase Hwy., Gretna 368-5724 The signature dish at this Central American eatery is the pupusa -- a cross between a corn tamale and a tortilla, stuffed with pork, cheese and onions. The faro del pacifico plate will get you one of those, plus a chicken tamale and a meat pie accompanied by cabbage salad and rice and beans. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

RED MAPLE 1036 Lafayette St., Gretna 367-0935 Executive Chef Randy Barlow creates contemporary Creole dishes such as the stuffed mirliton, which is packed with shrimp, crabmeat and oysters. Also a favorite is the eggplant Maple, topped with sauteed shrimp in a black pepper sauce. Things get festive this fall with the special Octoberfest menu. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

ROADHOUSE GRILL 5131 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero 341-3636; www.roadhousegrill.com This friendly chain establishes its casual, feel-good vibe with touches like the bucket of fresh peanuts on every table. Start off with the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a skewer or the Roadhouse Grande Nachos, and move on to one of the prime steaks like the Roadie, a 13-oz. sirloin soaked in the house special Jim Beam bourbon marinade and served in a skillet with sizzling Cajun-seasoned onions. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

SAL'S SEAFOOD 1512 Barataria Blvd., Marrero 341-8112 Look for whatever was just swimming at Sal's, because fresh local seafood is the agenda here. Boiled, fried or served up at the raw bar, there's plenty of bounty from the sea. Po-boys and crawfish pies are also popular, and you can get boiled seafood to go, or make groceries at the full deli. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, takeout only until noon Sunday. Credit cards. $

TAQUERIA JALISCO 1160 Terry Pkwy., Terrytown 368-1868 Traditional dishes from central Mexico are the norm here, including grilled beef fajitas served with rice, beans and a salad or fish lightly battered, fried and served with the same accompaniments. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THREE HAPPINESS 199 Lafayette St., Gretna 368-1355 Lunchtime diners will have to smile at the low prices and bountiful servings on combination plates such as sweet-and-sour pork or chicken served with hot-and-sour or egg drop soup, an egg roll and fried rice for $5.95. The extensive menu also offers a variety of traditional Chinese, Mandarin and Cantonese dishes and Vietnamese cuisine. Reservations recommended on weekends. Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$